Later today, Firefox will undergo its biggest developmental upheaval ever. Mozilla-central, the source of nightly builds, will be renumbered to version 5 -- and at long last, after years of wallowing around version 1, Mozilla's rendering and layout engine, Gecko, will also have its version number updated to match Firefox.
Shortly thereafter, Firefox's new channel system will be implemented. Firefox 5a2 will be introduced as the first Aurora build, and we should also see a Firefox 6 Nightly build. While we we're not sure where they came from, one Sören Hentzschel seems to have unearthed the new Nightly and Aurora logos (see above), along with new About Firefox dialogs (after the break).
In other news, if you want to take a sneak peek at the new 'channel changing' technology that will be introduced in upcoming Firefox builds, head to about:config and create a new string called app.update.desiredChannel -- the value doesn't matter. Then open Help > About Firefox and you'll be able to switch channel, but it doesn't do anything just yet (image after the break). Here's hoping that Firefox channel switching is smoother than Chrome.Continue reading New Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switchingNew Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switching originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Megaramps Suck, But This First-Ever Skateboard 1080 Is Cool [Video]
Megaramps. Giant wooden launch pads that professional aerialists like Danny Way and Bob Burnquist make their livings off of. As a longtime skateboarder, I have always resented the megaramp trend. Why? It reduces the subtleties and variety of skateboarding to mere spectacle. Who can launch the farthest from the biggest roll in? It turns skateboarders into mere stuntmen. Xtreme Action Sportz Broooo! But despite what ESPN and Mountain Dew would have you believe, skateboarding is about more than just the adrenaline rush. More »
Deal of the Day ? Dell Vostro 260 Dual-core Mini Tower with 20? Dell LED-backlit LCD Monitor for $379
Friday’s LogicBUY Deal is the customizable Dell Vostro 260 2.7GHz Dual-core Mini Tower desktop bundled with a 20″ Dell E2011H LED-backlit LCD monitor starting at $379.� Features:� 2GB RAM, 250GB 7200RPM hard drive, DVD burner, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS, and can be customized as you like. $568 – $189 savings = $379 with [...]
Watch Arthur C. Clarke Predict the Internet and Personal Computers... In 1974 [Video]
Besides being one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time, Arthur C. Clarke had a knack for foreseeing the future—at least in terms of technology. And in this clip from 1974, he predicts both personal computers and the internet. More »
Logitech� BCC950 All-in-One Audio and Video ConferenceCam
The new BCC950 ConferenceCam from Logitech is the “first communications tool to combine a full HD webcam with a high-quality, omni-directional full-duplex speakerphone in one USB device, enabling small groups to collaborate in conference rooms, closed offices or shared work spaces.”� The camera has a motorized 180-degree pan, tilt, and zoom, 8-degree field of view, [...]
Netflix Sharpens Focus On DVDs With DVD.com, But Don?t Cry Qwikster. (It?s Staying)
Netflix has been making a few moves to separate its DVD business more from its streaming operation, and today brings news of the latest move in that direction: the company has bought the domain name DVD.com, the company has confirmed to us.
The news raises questions of Netflix possibly getting ready to pull a Qwikster on us after all and separate its streaming and DVD businesses -- something others have suggested it might do -- but TechCrunch understands that there are no plans to spin off its DVD business into a separate company, � la the Qwikster strategy of last year that so qwikly spiraled into a PR disaster for the company, and was then abandoned.
The news raises questions of Netflix possibly getting ready to pull a Qwikster on us after all and separate its streaming and DVD businesses -- something others have suggested it might do -- but TechCrunch understands that there are no plans to spin off its DVD business into a separate company, � la the Qwikster strategy of last year that so qwikly spiraled into a PR disaster for the company, and was then abandoned.
'BrowserQuest' Shows HTML5 Could Slay Flash
The Mozilla Foundation on Wednesday released BrowserQuest, a massively multiplayer online game written in HTML5, JavaScript and other open source languages. "BrowserQuest is a showcase of how open Web technologies like HTML5, JavaScript, CSS and WebSockets can be used to create a multiplayer game that scales up to thousands of users," said Mozilla's Christian Heilmann.
Amazon?s Appstore Generates More Revenue Per Daily User Than Google Play
According to new data released today by mobile analytics firm Flurry, Amazon's Appstore for Android is generating more revenue per daily user than the Google Android Market, which was recently rebranded as the Google Play store. That shouldn't be surprising, given that Amazon vets apps for quality, runs promotions to entice users to return daily, and perhaps most importantly, is able to leverage its established user base of Amazon account holders who already have credit card information on file - perfect for one-click checkouts.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Android Central Podcast - Live!
It's Android Central! It's a podcast! It's the Android Central Podcast! And it's happening live, right this very second! Watch the Android Central Podcast!
Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case for Galaxy Nexus
The March 30 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio SURFACE Case for Galaxy Nexus. Crafted from a hard yet flexible material, the Seidio SURFACE Case provides an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding the excessive bulk of other cases. The case features a soft touch coating, cutouts for all features, and is available in black, blue, red, and amethyst. The Seidio SURFACE Case is available for just $14.95, 50% off the regular price today only. Grabs yours while supplies last!
Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video)
One of the more irritating aspects of touchscreen gaming is almost certainly the inevitability of blocking the screen as you play -- particularly with smaller devices like smartphones. A new peripheral being developed by Keio University takes an interesting approach to the problem -- using the device to transform the gadget's camera into a three-axis joystick of sorts by detecting the movement of markings on the add-on. According to its creators, the accuracy of the joystick depends largely on the precision of the phone's hardware. Check it out in action after the break.Continue reading Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video)Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Diginfo | Email this | Comments
Friday, March 30, 2012
Poddities ? Hardware for your iPhone
Poddities are metal clips for your iPhone 4/4S that you can screw directly into the bottom of the phone. One clip offers an attachment point for hand straps, while the other one functions as a money clip. Both Poddities attach to the bottom of the iPhone by removing the existing screws on either side of [...]
Sony's Xperia Ice Cream Sandwich rollout pushed to mid-April (and beyond)
To be fair, things have... changed a bit since we heard back in November that the Xperia handset line would be getting Ice Cream Sandwich by March of 2012. Specifically, Sony Ericsson is no more, and it's up to Sony Mobile alone to continue the torch carrying. At any rate, the outfit has made clear today that it'll be mid-April at the earliest before any of the Xperia smartphones see an Android 4.0 update, with the Xperia Arc S, Xperia Neo V and Xperia Ray amongst the first on deck. We're told that the updates will start hitting that trio in the middle of next month, with every last owner to be gifted in the four to six weeks following. Beyond that, the Xperia Play, Xperia Neo, Xperia Mini, Xperia Mini Pro, Xperia Pro and Xperia Active will start seeing ICS "from the end of May / early June." You know, pretty much right when Android 5.0 will be unveiled.Sony's Xperia Ice Cream Sandwich rollout pushed to mid-April (and beyond) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mobile Burn | Sony Xperia Product Blog | Email this | Comments
GNOME 3 released, ushers in an interesting amalgam of iOS and OS X
GNOME 3, after more than two years of development, has been released into the wild. GNOME 3 is not merely the logical successor of GNOME 2: it is an entirely new project, started from scratch, to create a "completely new, modern desktop designed for today's users and technologies."
The best way to check out GNOME 3's new features -- and it has lots of new features -- is to run a live version of openSUSE or Fedora, or simply head over to the GNOME 3 website and watch the (rather pretty) introductory videos. If you want a synopsis, though, here it is: GNOME 3 looks a lot like Mac OS X, with a healthy dollop of iOSesqueness for good measure, but yet it still somehow retains an underlying feel of Linux.
The overall aesthetic is very simple, very elegant, and despite being slightly out of fashion, there are plenty of rounded corners, too. The main addition, workflow-wise, is the addition of an app-launcher-cum-alt-tab screen, where you can launch apps, or flip through your open windows. For a complete list of the new features and changes, check the GNOME 3 release notes.
Despite GNOME 3 being officially launched, there aren't actually any releases for existing, stable Linux distros -- it's the live CD/USB images, or Ubuntu users will have to wait for the launch of 11.04 for a GNOME 3 PPA, but it will break Unity in the process. Fedora users will have to wait for for the May 24 release of Fedora 15. Of course, if you're feeling crazy, you can always build GNOME 3 from source.GNOME 3 released, ushers in an interesting amalgam of iOS and OS X originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
The best way to check out GNOME 3's new features -- and it has lots of new features -- is to run a live version of openSUSE or Fedora, or simply head over to the GNOME 3 website and watch the (rather pretty) introductory videos. If you want a synopsis, though, here it is: GNOME 3 looks a lot like Mac OS X, with a healthy dollop of iOSesqueness for good measure, but yet it still somehow retains an underlying feel of Linux.
The overall aesthetic is very simple, very elegant, and despite being slightly out of fashion, there are plenty of rounded corners, too. The main addition, workflow-wise, is the addition of an app-launcher-cum-alt-tab screen, where you can launch apps, or flip through your open windows. For a complete list of the new features and changes, check the GNOME 3 release notes.
Despite GNOME 3 being officially launched, there aren't actually any releases for existing, stable Linux distros -- it's the live CD/USB images, or Ubuntu users will have to wait for the launch of 11.04 for a GNOME 3 PPA, but it will break Unity in the process. Fedora users will have to wait for for the May 24 release of Fedora 15. Of course, if you're feeling crazy, you can always build GNOME 3 from source.GNOME 3 released, ushers in an interesting amalgam of iOS and OS X originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chocomize personalized chocolate: giveaway and discount code
Okay, I know what you're thinking: chocolate on Download Squad? That's right! That's because Chocomize is one of the nerdiest ways to get chocolate online: it's a website where you customize your own bar using a multi-step process.
We've covered Chocomize before in our holiday gift guide, so when they reached out to us offering to do a giveaway, we really couldn't resist.
Chocomize is giving away ten gift certificates, each worth $50, for you to create your own customized chocolate. They sent us some pictures of their recent creations, which you can find in the gallery below.
Regardless of the giveaway, you can use the discount code switched to get 10% off any Chocomize order. The code is valid through April 20th - just in time for Easter!
To participate, simply leave a comment. Fine print is after the jump.Gallery: Chocomize personalized chocolateContinue reading Chocomize personalized chocolate: giveaway and discount codeChocomize personalized chocolate: giveaway and discount code originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
We've covered Chocomize before in our holiday gift guide, so when they reached out to us offering to do a giveaway, we really couldn't resist.
Chocomize is giving away ten gift certificates, each worth $50, for you to create your own customized chocolate. They sent us some pictures of their recent creations, which you can find in the gallery below.
Regardless of the giveaway, you can use the discount code switched to get 10% off any Chocomize order. The code is valid through April 20th - just in time for Easter!
To participate, simply leave a comment. Fine print is after the jump.Gallery: Chocomize personalized chocolateContinue reading Chocomize personalized chocolate: giveaway and discount codeChocomize personalized chocolate: giveaway and discount code originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Raspberry Pi Shipping Has Been Put on Hold [Computers]
Bad news for those champing at the bit to get their mitts on the Raspberry Pi ? both Element 14 and RS are waiting on CE mark certification before they ship their inventory of Pis to customers causing a further delay on orders. More »
Algorithmic Essay-Grading: Teacher?s Savior Or Bane Of Learning?
A contest is underway at data-crunching competition site Kaggle that challenges people to create "an automated scoring algorithm for student-written essays." This is just the latest chapter in a generations-long conflict over the nature of teaching, and to that end it's also just one of many inevitable steps along the line. Automated grading is already prevalent in simpler tasks like multiple-choice and math testing, but computers have yet to seriously put a dent in the most time-consuming of grading tasks: essays.
Millions of students write dozens of essays every year, and teachers will often take home hundreds to read at a time. In addition to loading the teachers with frequently undocumented work hours, it's simply difficult to grade consistently and fairly. Are robo-readers the answer? Mark Shermis at the University of Akron thinks it's at least worth a shot.
Millions of students write dozens of essays every year, and teachers will often take home hundreds to read at a time. In addition to loading the teachers with frequently undocumented work hours, it's simply difficult to grade consistently and fairly. Are robo-readers the answer? Mark Shermis at the University of Akron thinks it's at least worth a shot.
Scrubba Washbag ? Wash your clothes on the move
If you travel a lot, you’ll know that one of the biggest dilemmas is traveling light but still having enough clothes. In some locations, finding a laundry can be hard and expensive -� or if you’re further afield, impossible to find. Australian inventor Ashley Newland has come up with the Scrubba Washbag, a possible solution [...]
AVG launches LiveKive cloud sync and backup tool
A while back, we told you about AVG's new LiveKive service, a new cloud synchronization and backup tool which appears to have been named after a vat in which mash is made during the brewing process. But enough about AVG's odd choice of monikers -- LiveKive has launched and is now ready to accept your files into the AVG cloud.
LiveKive takes aim at services like Dropbox and SugarSync, though at the moment it's lagging behind in terms of features. As it stands, LiveKive is only compatible with Windows and OS X. There are no mobile clients yet, though with AVG's strong presence on Android we wouldn't be surprised to see an app arrive in the near future.
The company is offering a heck of a deal right now, however. If you sign up for a paid account during the launch phase, you can score unlimited storage for $80 for a whole year. You can't even score 50GB per year at that price from Dropbox, so if cost and space are more important to you than cross-platform availability, LiveKive might be worth checking out.
If you're not interested in ponying up any cash at the moment, you can still get a 5GB account free of charge. Just head on over, and create a LiveKive account.AVG launches LiveKive cloud sync and backup tool originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
LiveKive takes aim at services like Dropbox and SugarSync, though at the moment it's lagging behind in terms of features. As it stands, LiveKive is only compatible with Windows and OS X. There are no mobile clients yet, though with AVG's strong presence on Android we wouldn't be surprised to see an app arrive in the near future.
The company is offering a heck of a deal right now, however. If you sign up for a paid account during the launch phase, you can score unlimited storage for $80 for a whole year. You can't even score 50GB per year at that price from Dropbox, so if cost and space are more important to you than cross-platform availability, LiveKive might be worth checking out.
If you're not interested in ponying up any cash at the moment, you can still get a 5GB account free of charge. Just head on over, and create a LiveKive account.AVG launches LiveKive cloud sync and backup tool originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Experience Instagram better than ever with Gramory for iPhone
The extremely popular social photo sharing service Instagram now has a very serious competitor to it's own app -- it's called Gramory. Gramory offers a superb way to browse through Instagram photos. One of the huge features that is not present in Instagram's official app is the ability to browse by trends.
Gmail app for iOS now lets you e-mail from alternate addresses
It looks like Google has rolled out a subtle, yet significant change to its Gmail app for iOS, with a new feature that allows users to send emails from alternate addresses. It's a feature that's long existed on the web version, and now, it's available on that notorious app for iPad and iPhone, too. The feature, which is also available on the mobile web version, has been automatically added without an app update, so check it out now, if you're up for it.Gmail app for iOS now lets you e-mail from alternate addresses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | iLounge | Email this | Comments
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Spotify: by the way, you still get unlimited songs with a free account
Remember that six month deadline we warned you about back in January? Well, it looks like Spotify wasn't so gung-ho about limiting the free version of its service, after all. The site is celebrating its nine month anniversary in the States by reminding users that it still has yet to impose a song limit for the unpaid variety. Spotify is extending the deal -- it's not saying for how long, though the mere reminder could certainly be taken as a sign that the sometimes overbearing record labels aren't hounding it to switch things up anytime soon. Of course, Spotify still really wants to get you to opt into a paid account to drop some of those ads from your stream, but if you don't want to pay, that's cool too.Spotify: by the way, you still get unlimited songs with a free account originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Gangstar Rio: City of Saints now available in the Google Play Store
If you're not a thug in real life but want to live out that lifestyle Gameloft has now released something to help make you get a little bit closer. Gangstar Rio: City of Saints is now available in the Google Play Store for all if you're willing to fork over $7 for it. As you can tell by the name, this portion of the series takes place in Rio de Janeiro and offers over 60 missions to play through as well as a whole arsenal of weapons to choose from with your customizable characters. If you're into some gangster action, you'll find the NSFW trailer and download link past the break. read more
A List of Things More Likely Than You Winning Tomorrow's $540 Million Lotto Jackpot [MegaMillions]
The MegaMillions jackpot was just raised to $540 million, and a $380 million lump-sum cash payout. That's a big enough sum that buying a ticket actually makes economic sense, even at 175.7 million to one odds. Crazy! More »
iSites overhauled, now lets you publish cloud-based HTML5 iPhone apps in minutes
iSites -- a zero-code cloud-based 'app creator' -- can now generate HTML5 apps that work on iOS devices. With this new feature, dubbed 'InstantApp', you can now design a single app in your browser and publish it natively on Android and iOS, and as an HTML5 iPhone app.
We haven't looked at iSites before, but it shot to fame last year when it launched with native iOS and Android support. Self-publishing Android apps wasn't a problem because Google does very little moderation of the Market, but iSites ran into trouble with its iOS apps. Thousands of people signed up for the service after it was featured on Mashable and TechCrunch, and you can imagine Apple's chagrin as thousands of cookie cutter apps flooded its approval queue.
Genwi, the developer behind iSites, realized something had to be done -- it had to circumvent the App Store approval process. Genwi, of course, turned to HTML5 Web apps -- which can be pinned to the iPhone home screen and which can be shoehorned into almost behaving like native apps.
Read on for our experiences with iSites' new InstantApp HTML5 iOS app creator.Gallery: iSites InstantApp HTML5 iPhone app creationContinue reading iSites overhauled, now lets you publish cloud-based HTML5 iPhone apps in minutesiSites overhauled, now lets you publish cloud-based HTML5 iPhone apps in minutes originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
We haven't looked at iSites before, but it shot to fame last year when it launched with native iOS and Android support. Self-publishing Android apps wasn't a problem because Google does very little moderation of the Market, but iSites ran into trouble with its iOS apps. Thousands of people signed up for the service after it was featured on Mashable and TechCrunch, and you can imagine Apple's chagrin as thousands of cookie cutter apps flooded its approval queue.
Genwi, the developer behind iSites, realized something had to be done -- it had to circumvent the App Store approval process. Genwi, of course, turned to HTML5 Web apps -- which can be pinned to the iPhone home screen and which can be shoehorned into almost behaving like native apps.
Read on for our experiences with iSites' new InstantApp HTML5 iOS app creator.Gallery: iSites InstantApp HTML5 iPhone app creationContinue reading iSites overhauled, now lets you publish cloud-based HTML5 iPhone apps in minutesiSites overhauled, now lets you publish cloud-based HTML5 iPhone apps in minutes originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
What is the HTC One XL?
We've all seen the HTC One X with the Tegra 3 processor inside, and we've seen the AT&T version with the Snapdragon S4 inside. What about the One XL? We heard HTC talk about it a little bit, but what exactly is it? The easy answer is that it's the AT&T One X without the AT&T branding. HTC has two different version of the unlocked One X then, one with the Tegra 3 and one with the Snapdragon S4. But why would they do this? Why not just have one version? As other carriers roll out LTE networks they need devices that will work on them. HTC's answer is the One XL. It makes sense when you think about. HTC doesn't want to compromise on battery life or performance. In order to integrate LTE with the Tegra 3 you have to use a separate chip, which as we've seen hurts battery life. The Snapdragon S4 integrates LTE so they decided to use that for LTE. Besides, why make a version specifically for AT&T and not take advantage of it in other parts of the world? We're not sure why HTC and AT&T decided not to use the One XL name. Maybe it's a branding thing, or for better name recognition in the U.S. Whatever the case, under the glass it's the same phone we'll be seeing worldwide as the HTC One XL.
DirecTV's latest HD interface comes to the five tuner HR34 DVR
Even if you don't have DirecTV, you've probably heard of the HR34 if you're into DVRs. That's because it's the only DVR from a provider that can record five HD shows at once and it also works in multiple rooms of the house thanks to RVU. All that upside came with a big downside, though, the old and ugly DirecTV DVR user interface. We figured it was only a matter of time before DirecTV's new HD user interface made it's way to the big daddy, and now Solid Signal reports that it's everything you've been waiting for with only slight differences from the HR24. No word on exactly when this update will roll out to HR34 DVRs everywhere, but we suspect it can't be long now.DirecTV's latest HD interface comes to the five tuner HR34 DVR originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Solid Signal | Email this | Comments
Firefox 4 rockets to 5% global usage share, IE9 wallows at 1.5%
Using some early numbers from both StatCounter and Net Applications, Mozilla's noisiest hominid, Asa Dotzler, has illustrated Firefox 4's meteoric rise to around 5% of Web browser global usage share. Internet Explorer 9, which launched two weeks ago, seems to be enjoying a much more casual stroll in the park with just 1.5% of the global Web usage share.
Interestingly, we can see IE9 dipping between March 20 and 21, just before the 'Important' Windows Update rolled out. It's hard to say whether IE9 is only growing because of the installed-by-default Windows Update, but that small dip definitely sticks out -- did excitement peter out? Did people download IE9, try it out, and summarily uninstall it? Perhaps, given their close proximity, the stats show an attention shift from Microsoft to Mozilla?
Numbers-wise, if the bottom left corner of the graph shows 2.3 million downloads for IE9, we can guesstimate that that it has now been downloaded 5 million times. Firefox is clocking in at 37 million downloads after five days of public availability.
We wonder whether Microsoft knew its release schedule would coincide so closely with Firefox 4. Internet Explorer 9 -- a great browser by almost every metric -- was never going to do well against anything emanating from the maws of Mozilla. The main thing, though, is that Microsoft has now shown that it's serious when it comes to the Open Web. If Internet Explorer 10 is good, and 11 and 12, then we might finally see it compete with the zealous Mozillan horde.Firefox 4 rockets to 5% global usage share, IE9 wallows at 1.5% originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Interestingly, we can see IE9 dipping between March 20 and 21, just before the 'Important' Windows Update rolled out. It's hard to say whether IE9 is only growing because of the installed-by-default Windows Update, but that small dip definitely sticks out -- did excitement peter out? Did people download IE9, try it out, and summarily uninstall it? Perhaps, given their close proximity, the stats show an attention shift from Microsoft to Mozilla?
Numbers-wise, if the bottom left corner of the graph shows 2.3 million downloads for IE9, we can guesstimate that that it has now been downloaded 5 million times. Firefox is clocking in at 37 million downloads after five days of public availability.
We wonder whether Microsoft knew its release schedule would coincide so closely with Firefox 4. Internet Explorer 9 -- a great browser by almost every metric -- was never going to do well against anything emanating from the maws of Mozilla. The main thing, though, is that Microsoft has now shown that it's serious when it comes to the Open Web. If Internet Explorer 10 is good, and 11 and 12, then we might finally see it compete with the zealous Mozillan horde.Firefox 4 rockets to 5% global usage share, IE9 wallows at 1.5% originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Circl.es: Meet The Latest Dating Site That Uses Facebook To Help You Find Love
Online dating is a hard nut to crack. First of all, it's a very personal process ported to a largely impersonal medium -- and then there's the creep factor. Next, it's a big business, but a small set of names dominate mindshare. Sure, with size and scale comes revenue, but it also brings less appealing byproducts like noise, faked pictures, lazy filtering, inadequate profiles, and the difficulty of judging actual interest from spam or "virtual winking".
People have become more comfortable with the idea of dating online, but they don't want an experience that explicitly (and constantly) reminds them of what they're doing. Instead, eDaters want to avoid overexposure, and experience "newness" by going beyond their immediate social graph. Although it may sound counterintuitive, a new site launching today called Circl.es wants to give date seekers that feeling of newness by tapping into one of the most familiar platforms ... Facebook.
People have become more comfortable with the idea of dating online, but they don't want an experience that explicitly (and constantly) reminds them of what they're doing. Instead, eDaters want to avoid overexposure, and experience "newness" by going beyond their immediate social graph. Although it may sound counterintuitive, a new site launching today called Circl.es wants to give date seekers that feeling of newness by tapping into one of the most familiar platforms ... Facebook.
Welcome to the Future: iPad Home Automation
Technology has greatly improved over the years and the iPad Home Automation system is now with us. Years ago no one would have ever thought that you would be able to control lighting or anything else in your home with an electronic device such as this. Everything has changed rather drastically since the first computer was developed years ago. Laptop computers, mobile phones and iPads and other tablet devices are definitely the norm now. Every household in America has at [...]
Ofcom delays decision on Everything Everywhere's 4G proposal
UKers hoping for a hasty rollout of Everything Everywhere's 4G LTE network are apt to be sorely disappointed, as regulation entity Ofcom has shoved back the final decision on its proposal. We're told that the ruling will be moved from April 17th to May 8th, with the decision made to give stakeholders more time to respond. With the additional weeks, folks like O2 and Vodafone are expected to voice their own thoughts (read: objections) on the matter, likely pointing out that its proposal would give Everything Everywhere the lion's share of spectrum in the 1,800MHz range. For now, we'll have to wait and see what kind of rebuttals are cooked up, and if history is any guide, we're guessing one or two more delays will be making themselves known before we get a definite answer one way or the other.Ofcom delays decision on Everything Everywhere's 4G proposal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Ofcom, PCPro | Email this | Comments
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Hitting 20M Downloads Across iOS Apps, Azumio Releases Sleep Time To Measure Your Zs
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Azumio isn't exactly a household name when it comes to mobile apps, so one might be surprised to learn that, collectively, their apps have pulled in over 20 million downloads. That's because Azumio is plugging away at building a suite of biofeedback apps that measure your heart rate, stress, and sleep. Azumio is tapping into a hot trend, as health devices and mobile apps are on the rise and have found eager users outside of the tech community. Companies and devices like Fitbit, Lark, Up, and more have found traction among consumers, but most of them involve external hardware that is worn while you sleep.
That's why today Azumio is releasing an app appropriately called Sleep Time, which measures the quality of your sleep and provides you with an alarm clock -- without the extra hardware.
That's why today Azumio is releasing an app appropriately called Sleep Time, which measures the quality of your sleep and provides you with an alarm clock -- without the extra hardware.
Steve Jobs didn?t care for the Siri name but couldn?t think of something better
Dag Kittlaus, creator of Siri, recently gave a keynote at Technori Pitch and talked about how much Steve Jobs disliked the name Siri. Only after he couldn’t think of
Altaro Hyper-V Backup beta launched, only 250 places available
This one's for the sysadmins in the audience: Altaro, makers of our favorite "time machine for Windows" back solution, OopsBackup, have just announced a new product entering beta called Hyper-V Backup.
It's a backup solution for virtual machines running on Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization solution. If that sentence just seemed like a bunch of buzzwords crammed together, Hyper-V backup is not for you. But, if you actually use Hyper-V and are hankering for a good backup solution, Altaro might be worth checking out.
The beta run is limited - Altaro are looking for just 250 testers. All participants will get a free license key to the final, production version. So if you're interested in helping test Hyper-V Backup, get yourself over to Altaro now and join the beta.Altaro Hyper-V Backup beta launched, only 250 places available originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
It's a backup solution for virtual machines running on Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization solution. If that sentence just seemed like a bunch of buzzwords crammed together, Hyper-V backup is not for you. But, if you actually use Hyper-V and are hankering for a good backup solution, Altaro might be worth checking out.
The beta run is limited - Altaro are looking for just 250 testers. All participants will get a free license key to the final, production version. So if you're interested in helping test Hyper-V Backup, get yourself over to Altaro now and join the beta.Altaro Hyper-V Backup beta launched, only 250 places available originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
ChromeLite: experience the ASCII Web of yesteryear
Have you ever wondered what the Web was like before the Mosaic Web browser? If you were born in the last 20-odd years, or you only discovered your inner geek recently, did you miss out on monochrome monitors and the dial-up BBS era? Well, here's your chance to get a sneak peek at history: grab the ChromeLite extension and marvel as the entire Web is transformed into ASCII characters.
Now, ChromeLite isn't really all that functional. For the most part, it simply strips images and converts text into a monospaced terminal font. There are a few Easter eggs inserted -- such as a fun message at the bottom of YouTube (image after the break) -- and some fun ASCII art, but that's about it. Rather oddly, most JavaScript continues to work -- so you can still enjoy Google Instant Search!
ChromeLite was actually made by Google as an April Fools' joke -- and indeed, an annoying 'you can uninstall this!' message appears at the top of every page -- but we're kind of hoping that Google, or another developer, takes ChromeLite and turns it into a real ASCII browsing extension with configurable settings. If anything, it will provide an easy way to save bandwidth and CPU time.Continue reading ChromeLite: experience the ASCII Web of yesteryearChromeLite: experience the ASCII Web of yesteryear originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Now, ChromeLite isn't really all that functional. For the most part, it simply strips images and converts text into a monospaced terminal font. There are a few Easter eggs inserted -- such as a fun message at the bottom of YouTube (image after the break) -- and some fun ASCII art, but that's about it. Rather oddly, most JavaScript continues to work -- so you can still enjoy Google Instant Search!
ChromeLite was actually made by Google as an April Fools' joke -- and indeed, an annoying 'you can uninstall this!' message appears at the top of every page -- but we're kind of hoping that Google, or another developer, takes ChromeLite and turns it into a real ASCII browsing extension with configurable settings. If anything, it will provide an easy way to save bandwidth and CPU time.Continue reading ChromeLite: experience the ASCII Web of yesteryearChromeLite: experience the ASCII Web of yesteryear originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Facebook on Passwords During Job Interviews: Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Reacting to recent reports that some organizations are demanding that job seekers turn over their Facebook passwords, the social network on Friday criticized the practice for undermining members' privacy expectations and security. It also pointed out that such a move could expose employers who ask for passwords to dangerous liabilities and vowed to take action to protect the privacy and security of its users.
Ask DLS: What's your favorite mobile app at the moment?
The mobile app marketplace is exploding; there are now hundreds of thousands of apps on the iOS, Android and BlackBerry app markets. Heck, even Windows Phone 7 just crossed the 10,000 mark!
But alas, not all apps are created equal; some are way, way better than others. Which leads me to today's Ask DLS question: What is your favorite mobile app at the moment?
We don't necessarily mean the latest craze; we'd like to hear about apps that have stood the test of time on your device, apps that are among the first you install on a new smartphones, apps that have earned their place on your home screen and in your heart.
So, what are some of these apps? Bonus points for links to screenshots in the comments!Ask DLS: What's your favorite mobile app at the moment? originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
But alas, not all apps are created equal; some are way, way better than others. Which leads me to today's Ask DLS question: What is your favorite mobile app at the moment?
We don't necessarily mean the latest craze; we'd like to hear about apps that have stood the test of time on your device, apps that are among the first you install on a new smartphones, apps that have earned their place on your home screen and in your heart.
So, what are some of these apps? Bonus points for links to screenshots in the comments!Ask DLS: What's your favorite mobile app at the moment? originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Free Universal Construction Kit
You build with LEGOs and you build with Tinkertoys, but you can’t build with LEGOs and Tinkertoys – until now!� F.A.T. Lab and Sy-Lab have created a set of 80 universal connectors that “enable complete interoperability between ten popular children?s construction toys.”� (See the F.A.T. Lab site for a complete list.) You can’t buy the [...]
The Most Extensive Face Transplant Ever Gives a Man a New Jaw, Teeth, Tongue, Muscle, Tissue, Bone and Skin [Medical Science]
In 1997, Richard Lee Norris suffered a horrific gun accident that ripped off his nose, chin, lips and teeth and turned him into a recluse. 15 years later, doctors were able to perform the "most extensive face transplant ever" and give him a brand new face and new life. More »
Zen Coding high-speed HTML shorthand plug-in updated
Zen Coding made quite a splash when we first covered it almost a year ago. For those who aren't familiar, Zen is a fantastic form of shorthand for quickly hand-coding HTML. And today, a new version is out!
Here are some of the goodies version 0.7 brings to the party:
Text nodes: Writing something like a[href=/]{Click here} now works, and puts "Click here" within the link.
New actions added: Increment/decrement number under cursor, evaluate math expressions, and more.
Wrap with Abbreviation was upgraded.
There are several other improvements but they're all rather technical. If you use Zen Coding (or are intrigued by the concept) go ahead and read the release notes for this new version.
Zen Coding has official implementations for a ton of editors, including TextMate, Apatana, Coda, E2, Komodo, Notepad++, PSPad, and more. It also has unofficial builds for Vim, UltraEdit, Visual Studio and more.
If you want to play with Zen Coding without installing it, you can use the online demo to see some of its magic in action.Zen Coding high-speed HTML shorthand plug-in updated originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Here are some of the goodies version 0.7 brings to the party:
Text nodes: Writing something like a[href=/]{Click here} now works, and puts "Click here" within the link.
New actions added: Increment/decrement number under cursor, evaluate math expressions, and more.
Wrap with Abbreviation was upgraded.
There are several other improvements but they're all rather technical. If you use Zen Coding (or are intrigued by the concept) go ahead and read the release notes for this new version.
Zen Coding has official implementations for a ton of editors, including TextMate, Apatana, Coda, E2, Komodo, Notepad++, PSPad, and more. It also has unofficial builds for Vim, UltraEdit, Visual Studio and more.
If you want to play with Zen Coding without installing it, you can use the online demo to see some of its magic in action.Zen Coding high-speed HTML shorthand plug-in updated originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Altaro Hyper-V Backup beta launched, only 250 places available
This one's for the sysadmins in the audience: Altaro, makers of our favorite "time machine for Windows" back solution, OopsBackup, have just announced a new product entering beta called Hyper-V Backup.
It's a backup solution for virtual machines running on Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization solution. If that sentence just seemed like a bunch of buzzwords crammed together, Hyper-V backup is not for you. But, if you actually use Hyper-V and are hankering for a good backup solution, Altaro might be worth checking out.
The beta run is limited - Altaro are looking for just 250 testers. All participants will get a free license key to the final, production version. So if you're interested in helping test Hyper-V Backup, get yourself over to Altaro now and join the beta.Altaro Hyper-V Backup beta launched, only 250 places available originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
It's a backup solution for virtual machines running on Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization solution. If that sentence just seemed like a bunch of buzzwords crammed together, Hyper-V backup is not for you. But, if you actually use Hyper-V and are hankering for a good backup solution, Altaro might be worth checking out.
The beta run is limited - Altaro are looking for just 250 testers. All participants will get a free license key to the final, production version. So if you're interested in helping test Hyper-V Backup, get yourself over to Altaro now and join the beta.Altaro Hyper-V Backup beta launched, only 250 places available originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Windows 8 wallpaper available to download, Jupiter and Twin UI spotted
With Windows 8 milestone 3 now up for grabs for select Microsoft Connect partners, it's inevitable that leaked bits and pieces will start popping up around the Web. In fact, the first "official" wallpaper image from the still-brewing OS is already making the rounds.
As you can see, it's got a similar feel to the good ol' Windows 7 default background, but features a more subdued smattering of cerulean hues. Those of you who want to use the Windows 8 wallpaper on your current desktop can download it from our file dump.
A few other details have been revealed, too. According to ZDNet's source, the Windows 8 Jupiter libraries and Twin UI are starting to take shape -- though all that's been located thus far are "[various files] scattered throughout the OS" and the aptly-named twinui.dll.Windows 8 wallpaper available to download, Jupiter and Twin UI spotted originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
As you can see, it's got a similar feel to the good ol' Windows 7 default background, but features a more subdued smattering of cerulean hues. Those of you who want to use the Windows 8 wallpaper on your current desktop can download it from our file dump.
A few other details have been revealed, too. According to ZDNet's source, the Windows 8 Jupiter libraries and Twin UI are starting to take shape -- though all that's been located thus far are "[various files] scattered throughout the OS" and the aptly-named twinui.dll.Windows 8 wallpaper available to download, Jupiter and Twin UI spotted originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Mitoza is a fun, freaky Web toy with an artistic look
While not a game per se, I found Mitoza intriguing enough to spend quite some time with it. You start off with a seed, and are then presented with two choices: you can either click a flower pot, or click a cute little birdie.
If you click the flower pot, a flower pot appears and the seed is planted inside. You're then presented with two further choices -- a water can or a bottle of fertilizer. Each choice you make causes your creation to morph, and presents you with two other choices.
There's no winning or losing, really. Each "game" usually lasts around four or five choices, at which point the plant/animal dies in some creative (but not too gruesome) way. At this point you instantly start over with a new seed.
The graphics are captivating; the whole thing has a cinematic feel to it, with a bit of artificial camera shake added for style.
All in all, it's a fun, peaceful way to spend a few minutes, and it might even make you think a little bit while you're at it.Mitoza is a fun, freaky Web toy with an artistic look originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you click the flower pot, a flower pot appears and the seed is planted inside. You're then presented with two further choices -- a water can or a bottle of fertilizer. Each choice you make causes your creation to morph, and presents you with two other choices.
There's no winning or losing, really. Each "game" usually lasts around four or five choices, at which point the plant/animal dies in some creative (but not too gruesome) way. At this point you instantly start over with a new seed.
The graphics are captivating; the whole thing has a cinematic feel to it, with a bit of artificial camera shake added for style.
All in all, it's a fun, peaceful way to spend a few minutes, and it might even make you think a little bit while you're at it.Mitoza is a fun, freaky Web toy with an artistic look originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
SGP Kuel H10 stylus pen review (or: How I win at Draw Something)
SGP Kuel H10 is a compact, convenient, capacitive stylus for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It's made from a special silicon with high polymer abrasion-resistant coating, which SGP says allows for smooth touch and incredible control. In my experience it's the multitouch sensors in iOS devices themselves that are the limiting factor when it comes to any stylus, but SGP has certainly made a pen to be proud of.
The Samsung Galaxy Note Is Only Appropriate for an Elephant to Use [Video]
The Galaxy note, a 5.3-inch plastic and electric goiter of a hybrid crap phablet, hasn't really taken off with the human population. Samsung, in an attempt at cute advertising, paired the "phone" with an elephant. Maybe it's on to something! More »
Sand Trap is a fun and difficult physics maze game
Sand Trap is one of those games that at first seem too hard to bother with, but when you try to stop playing it you discover you're hooked.
The goal is to get as much sand as you possibly can out of the maze and into the bucket at the bottom of the screen. You need to rotate your maze every which way to get the sand rolling around it. You then try to direct the sand to one of the exits of the maze, and hopefully into the bucket. It took me several tries to actually get sand into the bucket, but that might be due to the fact that I didn't even realize the bucket was there at first. Things improved significantly after that.
As you level up, the mazes get more complicated, with moving parts and other things making your life more difficult. Once you manage to get through all these obstacles and get enough sand into your bucket, you can move on.
As I mentioned, this is not an easy game, but it's highly addictive. The graphics remind me of some long lost game from the 80s, but this just proves that you don't need super graphics and crazy sound to make a game work. There's a soothing guitar track playing in the background and that's it, as far as I could hear, and you can enjoy it just as much with no sound at all.
If you like a fun physics challenge, don't miss out on this one!Sand Trap is a fun and difficult physics maze game originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
The goal is to get as much sand as you possibly can out of the maze and into the bucket at the bottom of the screen. You need to rotate your maze every which way to get the sand rolling around it. You then try to direct the sand to one of the exits of the maze, and hopefully into the bucket. It took me several tries to actually get sand into the bucket, but that might be due to the fact that I didn't even realize the bucket was there at first. Things improved significantly after that.
As you level up, the mazes get more complicated, with moving parts and other things making your life more difficult. Once you manage to get through all these obstacles and get enough sand into your bucket, you can move on.
As I mentioned, this is not an easy game, but it's highly addictive. The graphics remind me of some long lost game from the 80s, but this just proves that you don't need super graphics and crazy sound to make a game work. There's a soothing guitar track playing in the background and that's it, as far as I could hear, and you can enjoy it just as much with no sound at all.
If you like a fun physics challenge, don't miss out on this one!Sand Trap is a fun and difficult physics maze game originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Xbox 360 apps now live for Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go and MLB.tv
Anxiously awaiting the arrival of those brand spanking new apps for your Xbox 360 console? Well, the wait is over. Video apps for Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go and MLB.tv have arrived on a number of consoles here at Engadget HQ. Major Nelson dropped the official word a little while ago, leaving you mere moments away from live and on demand television and baseball just in time for the start of the season. Keep in mind all three of these high profile applications feature Kinect integration -- but don't worry, you won't be forced to swing any bats in your living room. If you're looking for more info, details on the HBO Go and MLB.tv offerings await in the PR below.Continue reading Xbox 360 apps now live for Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go and MLB.tvXbox 360 apps now live for Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go and MLB.tv originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Major Nelson | Email this | Comments
Lenovo Launches An Android App Store For The Enterprise
Computer manufacturer Lenovo has launched its own Android app store today, called simply, the "Lenovo Enterprise App Shop." As the name implies, the service is targeting the company's businesses customers by offering custom management, deployment and publication of mobile applications. Apps can also be purchased through volume pricing.
Lenovo says the app store will work on their Android-based tablets running Android 3.1 or higher, but it will also work with those tablets from other PC makers, too.
Lenovo says the app store will work on their Android-based tablets running Android 3.1 or higher, but it will also work with those tablets from other PC makers, too.
Japanese court orders Google to halt Instant search for suggesting one man be fired
Could Google Instant suggest you out of a job? According to one Japanese man's claims, that search algorithm is precisely what landed him a pink slip and permanent spot on the unemployment line. The Kyodo News Agency is reporting that a string of unflattering searches performed by the plaintiff's former employer allegedly linked him to a host of illegal and unflattering behavior, leading to his eventual termination. Baseless claims of a paranoiac? One Tokyo court doesn't think so, as the search giant's been issued an injunction that temporarily bars the use of autocomplete in the country. So far, Mountain View's refused to bow down to the order and maintains its service is consistent with user privacy policies. Our currently jobless John Doe-san would beg to differ and had previously sought the company's assistance in deleting the offending queries before seeking judicial aide, albeit to no avail. Should be interesting to see how this case plays out, seeing as the infraction is the first of its kind and could potentially alter the legal parameters of internet queries. We'll keep you posted on further developments as this courtroom drama continues to play out.Japanese court orders Google to halt Instant search for suggesting one man be fired originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink ABC News | Kyodo News Agency | Email this | Comments
Track and Analyze Your Run with the runtastic GPS Watch
The GPS Watch from runtastic records important parameters from your run: pace, laps, calories, distance, target HR zones, speed, duration, time, elevation and heart rate.� After the run, connect the watch to your computer with the included USB cable to transfer your data to your profile at runtastic’s website to analyze your metrics.� The watch [...]
Microsoft trumpets Windows Phone 7 numbers on first birthday
Happy first birthday, Windows Phone 7! One year on, and the fledgling mobile operating system has 36,000 active developers in its AppHub community, 1.5 million downloads of its Developer Tools, and 11,500 apps in its Marketplace.
Microsoft is quick to take a couple shots at competitors' app stores, beating its chest about not re-counting tanslations of an app or "lite" apps, "increasing tonnage" by supporting apps from other mobile platforms, and not listing wallpapers as a category.
That's all fine and dandy, but we spend a lot of time sifting through WP7 app feeds -- and we're still not seeing a lot of awesome apps on the platform. We think a few marquee apps would've made a pretty nice first birthday present -- along with a much smoother update process for WP7 users.Microsoft trumpets Windows Phone 7 numbers on first birthday originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Microsoft is quick to take a couple shots at competitors' app stores, beating its chest about not re-counting tanslations of an app or "lite" apps, "increasing tonnage" by supporting apps from other mobile platforms, and not listing wallpapers as a category.
That's all fine and dandy, but we spend a lot of time sifting through WP7 app feeds -- and we're still not seeing a lot of awesome apps on the platform. We think a few marquee apps would've made a pretty nice first birthday present -- along with a much smoother update process for WP7 users.Microsoft trumpets Windows Phone 7 numbers on first birthday originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration?
Rafael Rivera and Paul Thurrott have posted a second look at some of the early changes which have surface in Windows 8 milestone 3. First there was the restyled Welcome Screen, and now it appears that Microsoft is toying with bringing the Ribbon UI to Explorer.
The Ribbon, like in Microsoft Word and Excel, is context-aware, adding tabs for specific tasks which apply to the folder you're viewing -- such as library or picture management. You can also make out two new buttons in the status bar, which allow you to change the current folder's view style.
It's clear from all the placeholder images and repeated elements that this is very much a work in progress, but featuring the Ribbon more prominently in Windows 8 would certainly be a logical progression for Microsoft. It's slowly become more ubiquitous, moving beyond Office and into Wordpad, Paint, and several of the Windows Live Essentials applications.
There's more to the screenshots than the Ribbon UI, however. Our friend Long Zheng has noted two interesting elements in the images: Web sharing and sync (image after the break). That would likely mean users will be able to quickly upload files to SkyDrive and synchronize using Live Mesh right from Explorer in Windows 8. That's not a total surprise considering many of the earliest leaked images of Windows 8 showed Windows Live integration on the desktop.Continue reading Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration?Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration? originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
The Ribbon, like in Microsoft Word and Excel, is context-aware, adding tabs for specific tasks which apply to the folder you're viewing -- such as library or picture management. You can also make out two new buttons in the status bar, which allow you to change the current folder's view style.
It's clear from all the placeholder images and repeated elements that this is very much a work in progress, but featuring the Ribbon more prominently in Windows 8 would certainly be a logical progression for Microsoft. It's slowly become more ubiquitous, moving beyond Office and into Wordpad, Paint, and several of the Windows Live Essentials applications.
There's more to the screenshots than the Ribbon UI, however. Our friend Long Zheng has noted two interesting elements in the images: Web sharing and sync (image after the break). That would likely mean users will be able to quickly upload files to SkyDrive and synchronize using Live Mesh right from Explorer in Windows 8. That's not a total surprise considering many of the earliest leaked images of Windows 8 showed Windows Live integration on the desktop.Continue reading Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration?Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration? originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Monday, March 26, 2012
Signs in Mountain Lion Point To ?Retina? Display MacBooks Sooner Than Later
by Chris Foresman, Ars Technica A new clue found within in the latest developer release of OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) suggests that 2012 may bring us the “summer of retina display Macs.” A source with access to the latest Mountain Lion preview alerted Ars that double-sized graphics have popped up in some unexpected places, [...]
Hunger Games in theaters now, here?s the game, book, wallpapers, and more for iPhone and iPad!
The Hunger Games have landed in movie theaters everywhere, and while you can now watch the exploits of Katniss, Peeta, and all the tributes on the big screen, you can also enjoy a ton of related content right on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. That includes games, books, wallpapers, and more -- If the odds are ever in your favor...
This Halogen Oven is Your Cook-Anything-Like-A-Pro Deal of the Day [Dealzmodo]
I'm starving. Really. I'm so hungry right now, but I have to write this up first. Why am I so hungry? I got up entirely too late this morning and missed breakfast. And my roommate is no help. She hasn't gone grocery shopping in ages, so her shelf was barren. She had some pasta, but it was old and overcooked. And I already got busted for stealing milk on Saturday. Not cool. More »
New Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switching
Later today, Firefox will undergo its biggest developmental upheaval ever. Mozilla-central, the source of nightly builds, will be renumbered to version 5 -- and at long last, after years of wallowing around version 1, Mozilla's rendering and layout engine, Gecko, will also have its version number updated to match Firefox.
Shortly thereafter, Firefox's new channel system will be implemented. Firefox 5a2 will be introduced as the first Aurora build, and we should also see a Firefox 6 Nightly build. While we we're not sure where they came from, one Sören Hentzschel seems to have unearthed the new Nightly and Aurora logos (see above), along with new About Firefox dialogs (after the break).
In other news, if you want to take a sneak peek at the new 'channel changing' technology that will be introduced in upcoming Firefox builds, head to about:config and create a new string called app.update.desiredChannel -- the value doesn't matter. Then open Help > About Firefox and you'll be able to switch channel, but it doesn't do anything just yet (image after the break). Here's hoping that Firefox channel switching is smoother than Chrome.Continue reading New Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switchingNew Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switching originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Shortly thereafter, Firefox's new channel system will be implemented. Firefox 5a2 will be introduced as the first Aurora build, and we should also see a Firefox 6 Nightly build. While we we're not sure where they came from, one Sören Hentzschel seems to have unearthed the new Nightly and Aurora logos (see above), along with new About Firefox dialogs (after the break).
In other news, if you want to take a sneak peek at the new 'channel changing' technology that will be introduced in upcoming Firefox builds, head to about:config and create a new string called app.update.desiredChannel -- the value doesn't matter. Then open Help > About Firefox and you'll be able to switch channel, but it doesn't do anything just yet (image after the break). Here's hoping that Firefox channel switching is smoother than Chrome.Continue reading New Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switchingNew Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switching originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Help Your Child Become a Better Driver with the Tiwi Driver Mentoring Solution
My daughter has her learner’s permit now, and I’m really not relishing the idea of her being on the road by herself in the near future.� The Tiwi Driver Mentoring Solution system could be just the thing she, or any beginning driver, needs to remind her of safe driving practices when an experienced driver isn’t [...]
Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin
This is one of those posts that could probably be condensed into a tweet: Apple has released the second Preview of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. If you're running Preview 1, it looks like you'll first receive a small update via Software Update, and then you can download Preview 2 from the Mac App Store.
There has been some speculation that Apple is getting close to a release or Golden Master build, but judging by 9to5 Mac's initial findings there's definitely some way to go. The Golden Master will probably appear at, or just before, the Apple WWDC in June.
So far, it's looking like the only changes in Preview 2 are the leather bound iCal skin that you can see above, and the main iChat window now combines your AIM, Bonjour and Jabber contacts, like Adium. We're sure that more details will emerge throughout the day, though, and there's bound to be lots of invisible changes, too. We'll update this post when we find out more.Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
There has been some speculation that Apple is getting close to a release or Golden Master build, but judging by 9to5 Mac's initial findings there's definitely some way to go. The Golden Master will probably appear at, or just before, the Apple WWDC in June.
So far, it's looking like the only changes in Preview 2 are the leather bound iCal skin that you can see above, and the main iChat window now combines your AIM, Bonjour and Jabber contacts, like Adium. We're sure that more details will emerge throughout the day, though, and there's bound to be lots of invisible changes, too. We'll update this post when we find out more.Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
What Google Must Do to Keep Android Tablets Alive
So how can Google and friends make a compelling case for customers to choose Android tablets over the iPad? Here are three avenues that Google might consider to keep Android tablets ? or at least some of them ? alive and kicking.
Evernote Web gets a new interface, Facebook sharing, and more
Evernote, the popular multi-platform 'digital memory' app, has done some serious re-tooling of its Web interface. In addition to a more polished UI that more closely mirrors the look of Evernote on the desktop, the update brings features like notebook stacks and snippet view to the Web.
Auto-saving is now enabled as well, and you can select multiple items by holding down the Cmd or Ctrl key on your Mac or Windows keyboard. If you've got items stored in your notebooks that you want to share with friends or co-workers, Evernote has improved that process, too. You can quickly post an item to Facebook, share it via email, or generate a Web sharing link to paste into an IM conversation or status update.
Head over to the Evernote Web login page to try out the new interface.Evernote Web gets a new interface, Facebook sharing, and more originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Auto-saving is now enabled as well, and you can select multiple items by holding down the Cmd or Ctrl key on your Mac or Windows keyboard. If you've got items stored in your notebooks that you want to share with friends or co-workers, Evernote has improved that process, too. You can quickly post an item to Facebook, share it via email, or generate a Web sharing link to paste into an IM conversation or status update.
Head over to the Evernote Web login page to try out the new interface.Evernote Web gets a new interface, Facebook sharing, and more originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game
Yes, that's right, I said adorable. Because Cueboy Quest really is!
You play an 8-bit cowboy whose goal on each level is to get to the door (and thus to the next level), but the door is often locked. To get it to open, you must shoot at one or more targets, and those targets aren't always in your line of sight. For example, on one level the the target is a balloon which is stuck all the way at the other end of the screen. You must first nudge it free, and then watch it float up and try to shoot it before it floats clear off the screen. Your bullets are chunky pixels that have some weight - the have arcing trajectories, so you don't always hit exactly where you aim.
There's another level where you must jump on the balloon as it floats up, use it as a platform to get to the other end of the screen, and then turn to shoot it very quickly before it flies away. Each level is very short, and most of them are quite easy. And not only are the graphics 8-bit blocky, but they're large too. Simply beautiful!Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
You play an 8-bit cowboy whose goal on each level is to get to the door (and thus to the next level), but the door is often locked. To get it to open, you must shoot at one or more targets, and those targets aren't always in your line of sight. For example, on one level the the target is a balloon which is stuck all the way at the other end of the screen. You must first nudge it free, and then watch it float up and try to shoot it before it floats clear off the screen. Your bullets are chunky pixels that have some weight - the have arcing trajectories, so you don't always hit exactly where you aim.
There's another level where you must jump on the balloon as it floats up, use it as a platform to get to the other end of the screen, and then turn to shoot it very quickly before it flies away. Each level is very short, and most of them are quite easy. And not only are the graphics 8-bit blocky, but they're large too. Simply beautiful!Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Engadget Podcast 286 - 03.23.2012
We'd normally use this space to give you a little insight into what might happen on this week's edition of the Engadget Podcast but if you're reading this, you probably already know, and Tim's not around this week to tell us how to run things, so we'll just go ahead and do the practical thing here and try to attract a couple new demographics by telling you that this episode of the Engadget Podcast is the perfect companion to waiting in line for The Hunger Games alone after school at the mall for an hour and change.Host: Brian HeaterGuests: Terrence O'Brien, Billy SteeleProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Orbital - Never00:06:15 - iPad review (2012)00:15:50 - Apple touts three million new iPads sold since launch00:22:00 - Apple: don't worry about hot iPad reports, it's cool00:28:00 - Apple announces dividend and share repurchase program for 2012, expects to spend $45 billion over three years00:32:44 - Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 preview (video)00:40:25 - Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 review (Verizon Wireless LTE)00:48:21 - Wacom Intuos5 touch review00:53:45 - Samsung Rugby Smart review00:59:30 - Angry Birds Space now available for download, pigs will fly01:03:50 - Listener questions Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace. Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast Send your questions to @tim_stevens. Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005) E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot com Twitter: @bheater, @terrenceobrien, @wmsteele Filed under: PodcastsEngadget Podcast 286 - 03.23.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
US Army debuts app marketplace prototype: iOS first, Android coming soon
The promise of an Army app store has been bandied about for quite a while now, but it looks like it's slowly becoming a reality. The US Army has today officially announced a prototype of the Army Software Marketplace, a web-based app store that currently includes twelve different training apps that have been approved for Army-wide use. That includes just iOS apps initially, but the Army promises that it will soon include apps for Android devices as well. It's also of course looking to expand considerably beyond those dozen odd apps, noting that the prototype is just "a first step in establishing and exercising new submission and approval processes that will eventually enable Army members, organizations and third-party developers to release applications for Army-wide distribution." And you thought the approval process for some of the current app stores was stringent. [Thanks, Souheil]US Army debuts app marketplace prototype: iOS first, Android coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | US Army | Email this | Comments
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Deal of the Day ? 73? Mitsubishi WD-73C11 1080p 3D DLP HDTV
LogicBUY’s Deal for Friday is the 73″ Mitsubishi WD-73C11 1080p 3D DLP Home Cinema TV for $999.99.� Features:� 3D ready, 1080p, 120Hz sub-frame rate, 6-color processor, Brilliant/Bright/Natural/Game modes, 3 HDMI inputs, 2 rear component / composite video inputs, HDMI-PC compatibility, more. $2099.99 – $1100 coupon code = $999.99 with free shipping.� This is the current [...]
iPhone & iPad Live 286: The new iPad review
Georgia, Seth, and Rene quickly cover the fallout of Chinese factory stories being faked, Apple's cash balance announcement, and the week's headlines, then dive deep into the 2012 iPad review, covering technology and experience. This is iPhone & iPad Live!
The Giant Nine-Pound Rats Are Coming [Wtf]
Okay, let me just get this out of the way. AHHHHH HOLY CRAP THIS RAT WEIGHS NINE POUNDS! There, I feel better, but residents of the Florida Keys don't. Why? Because these 9-pound Gambian giant pouch rats are on the loose. More »
Konstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voice
If you have an artistic temperament, but you weren't blessed with steady hands or an eye for color, Konstruct might be the app for you. Not only does the iPhone app let you produce generative art using words, warbles and whistles, but it also uses augmented reality to bring your artistic creation to life.
To get started, you first need to print out the Konstruct marker and place it wherever you'd like to create your AR sculpture -- it could be on your living room wall, or on the floor of your bathroom, it doesn't matter. Open the app, point your iPhone at the marker, and start making some noises! Once you're done, you can save your creation, or simply wipe the slate clean and start again.
The volume of your voice affects the size of the shapes that are drawn on the screen, and you can move your head around to alter the path of your 'brush' -- but to change the shape of your brush or modify the color palette you have to use a menu. Without knowledge of the app's internal workings, it's hard to say what the actual difference between whistling, talking and singing is -- and judging by the developer's affinity for whistling in the demo video (after the break), the app probably doesn't perform that much analysis on your input.
Still, Konstruct is just a prototype! A later version could do away with menus and rely entirely on the location, tonality, quality and amplitude of your voice -- and judging by the the words of the developer, James Alliban, there is definitely more in store for Konstruct: "The idea of transforming entire cities into user generated virtual art galleries really appeals to me. I see Konstruct as an early prototype that will hopefully be realised in this form in the future."
Download Konstruct for free from the App Store (iPhone 3GS and 4 only)
[Thanks to Richard for the tip!]Gallery: Konstruct for iOS: create generative augmented art with your voiceContinue reading Konstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voiceKonstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voice originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
To get started, you first need to print out the Konstruct marker and place it wherever you'd like to create your AR sculpture -- it could be on your living room wall, or on the floor of your bathroom, it doesn't matter. Open the app, point your iPhone at the marker, and start making some noises! Once you're done, you can save your creation, or simply wipe the slate clean and start again.
The volume of your voice affects the size of the shapes that are drawn on the screen, and you can move your head around to alter the path of your 'brush' -- but to change the shape of your brush or modify the color palette you have to use a menu. Without knowledge of the app's internal workings, it's hard to say what the actual difference between whistling, talking and singing is -- and judging by the developer's affinity for whistling in the demo video (after the break), the app probably doesn't perform that much analysis on your input.
Still, Konstruct is just a prototype! A later version could do away with menus and rely entirely on the location, tonality, quality and amplitude of your voice -- and judging by the the words of the developer, James Alliban, there is definitely more in store for Konstruct: "The idea of transforming entire cities into user generated virtual art galleries really appeals to me. I see Konstruct as an early prototype that will hopefully be realised in this form in the future."
Download Konstruct for free from the App Store (iPhone 3GS and 4 only)
[Thanks to Richard for the tip!]Gallery: Konstruct for iOS: create generative augmented art with your voiceContinue reading Konstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voiceKonstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voice originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Liquid-Cooled Laptops Can Handle Overclocked Processors Without Overcooking Thighs [Video]
Most laptops can barely handle a late-night YouTube session without reaching sperm-scorching temperatures. So if you dabble in over-clocking, you'll be frying eggs in no time. That is unless you've got Asetek's new liquid-cooling system for laptops. More »
AT&T's HTC One X test units in the wild, AC forums member weighs in
We're waiting patiently (mostly because we have no choice) for AT&T to sell us the HTC One X, and now we can drool over and talk to a fellow who's testing one for AT&T in the Android Central forums. Phonegeek (perfect name) has a One X in his hands and has let us in on a little bit of info, and is getting us even more excited for a release. The AT&T version uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, and has 16GB internal storage. This is different from the international version, but is necessary to include the LTE radio. The S4 is no slouch though. Look in the thread and you'll see it rules the benchmark arena, handily beating out the Galaxy Nexus (and everything else) in both Quadrant and Browser benchmarking tool Vellamo. Benchmarks aside, the new generation of processor from Qualcomm means that this phone will perform like no other. One day, everyone will make chips and radios that work on all networks, but in the meantime HTC (like Samsung) has made sure that as far as performance goes, there is no difference between versions. It looks as good as it operates, which is just as important. The speaker grill is slightly different, but otherwise it's the same One X we saw in Spain at MWC, and that's a good thing. Phonegeek also compares it to the HTC Inspire 4G, and it checks in a full 1.5 ounces lighter at about the same thickness. We're digging that, as sometimes too thin is just too thin. Also, be sure to check out a great picture taken with the new HTC camera setup and ImageSense software, which looks as good as we expected it to be. It's clear, in 2012 HTC is once again a force to be reckoned with. We wouldn't want it any other way. Latest word is mid-May for release, and we can't wait. Hit the link below and have a look! Source: Android Central forums
Crux360 Keyboard Case for the New iPad
CruxCase has announced their new Crux360 keyboard case for the new iPad.� The iPad snaps in from the front for quick and easy insertion/removal, and there’s a panel on back that can either cover up the entire back of the iPad or be removed to show off the Apple logo.� The Crux360 for iPad3 is [...]
Daily Crunch: Graffito Edition
For iPhone 4: Super-Cute Hello Kitty Cases From Japan Warn Friends And Foes With These Nine Aperture Science Test Chamber Labels ?Light Scythe? Is A Monster LED Strip For Long Exposure Art Mouse Up And Roll Out With This Transformers-Themed Razer Gear Tag Heuer?s Android Powered Link Smart Phone
You?ll soon be able to save and share your Draw Something drawings and chat with partners
Only days following Zynga's purchase of OMGPOP and Draw Something, comes an announcement with an impressive list of features that are coming soon to Draw Something.
Digital gaming soars nine percent, still knows nothing of rarity value
It's already chewed up some big names on the retail scene, but the game-downloading trend shows no sign of being sated. Fresh figures from market research firm NPD show that American digital game sales (including rentals and DLC) amounted to $2.04 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011, which represents a nine percent year-on-year hike at a time when physical game transactions fell three percent. Things are going the same way across the Atlantic, with the UK, France and Germany adding a further $1.29 billion to the burgeoning click-to-buy market. Industry types will surely welcome the news, since digital titles rake in higher margins (hello, PS Store) and reduce the trade in used discs, but what about those of us who'll one day want to swap our dusty copy of Fight Night Round Four for something more subtle?Digital gaming soars nine percent, still knows nothing of rarity value originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | CNET, NPD | Email this | Comments
This Voice Recognition Alarm Clock is Your I'll-Never-Be-Late-For-Work-Again Deal of the Day [Dealzmodo]
Last summer, after getting back from a friend's birthday close to six in the morning, I set my alarm clock, determined to get to work on time. I passed out. Then I woke up. The clock said 11. I panicked. Rushing, I showered and ran out the door, sprinting three blocks in 100 degree heat, calling and messaging co-workers to say I'd be late. No one picked up. I stopped and looked around for a taxi. Nothing. Seriously—nothing. The streets were empty. No one was around. Then my co-worker messaged me: "What's going on? It's 5:30am."
And that was the worst morning of my past year. Dont let this happen to you. You need this voice recognition alarm clock. Get it. Now. —AJ
Top Deals
? Slick Voice Recognition Alarm Clock Radio - Use Your Voice to Set the Alarm for $15 (normally $69.99 {Savings of $55 / 79% off}) More »
And that was the worst morning of my past year. Dont let this happen to you. You need this voice recognition alarm clock. Get it. Now. —AJ
Top Deals
? Slick Voice Recognition Alarm Clock Radio - Use Your Voice to Set the Alarm for $15 (normally $69.99 {Savings of $55 / 79% off}) More »
Saturday, March 24, 2012
MyFitnessPal [Android App Review]
One of the hardest pieces to the fitness puzzle is eating healthy, and paying attention to what you are consuming on a daily basis. While many of us think what we are eating isn't all that bad for you, most of the time we are completely wrong unfortunately. Today's society makes it so easy to grab a burger on the go, eat a chocolate bar in place of a lunch, and not only is it easier but it is also cheaper. Since many of us don't know how many calories are in the average meal or any of the other nutritional facts we look to applications to help keep us informed, and that is where MyFitnessPal comes into play. Taking control of what you eat is extremely important, and unfortunately if it is something that requires to much time it is something you are not likely to do. After downloading MyFitnessPal an account needs to be created with some basic personal information such as your height, weight, and gender. This information is very important, and you will want to input accurate information in, as this will actually help create your daily goals. After you enter the basic information it will ask how active you are on a daily basis, whether you have a desk job or an active job, and then it will also ask whether you wish to maintain, lose or gain weight. read more
Panasonic Eluga available from March 29 in Japan, Europe in April
Panasonic showed off its first Android smartphone for the western world, the Eluga, back at MWC in Barcelona. Fast forward a few weeks and release information for the mid-range device is starting to appear. The 4.3-inch, dust and water-resistant phone will first be available in Japan on NTT Docomo starting on March 29. A European launch for the Eluga will then follow on in April. Sadly both versions will be launching on Gingerbread. Like other OEM's, though, Panasonic has already detailed an Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Eluga. We're expecting to see it in the summer, though which part of it is still unknown at this time. via The Verge More: Hands on with the Panasonic Eluga
Stunning Rivers of Lava Making an Ocean of Lava [Video]
I get transfixed watching rivers of lava flow, either fast and fluid, or growing in slow motion, like the living rocks at 1 minute and 53 seconds in this video. And that terrifying crackling. More »
Daily Crunch: Power Supply Edition
Behind The Scenes At The Impossible Project?s Resurrected Polaroid Facility ?The Best Chance To Beat Gasoline:? An Excerpt From Seth Fletcher?s Bottled Lightning The ZEHST Is The 3,000 MPH, Zero Emissions Airplane Of 2050 Japan Takes Top Spot From China: Fujitsu?s ?K? Is The World?s Most Powerful Supercomputer Finally, A Solar Powered Netbook Comes To [...]
Orange UK targeting April for Galaxy S II ICS update
Earlier this week, Orange UK wasn't too sure when it's be rolling out the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for Samsung Galaxy S II phones on its network, but now it appears the carrier has a release window in mind. Crave? reports that Orange now intends to release the update sometime in April, putting it on par with O2, which is planning a similar timeframe for its own ICS roll-out. Some unbranded UK Galaxy S II's started being updated from this Monday, March 19. While Three UK customers are currently being updated through Kies, T-Mobile and Vodafone have yet to commit to any timeframe for their own releases. Source: Crave; via: Eurodroid
Daily Crunch: Space Bird Edition
Review: Kobo eReader Touch Edition Video: A Massive OLED Globe Fit For, Well, A Museum The Opena iPhone 4 Case Hides/Showcases Your Drinking Habit SugarSync Adds Mobile Device Management To Send Files To Devices From The Web Chair + Skateboard = Isukebo
Boomshine is a soothing-yet-frustrating time waster
One click; just one single well-aimed click. That's all you get in Boomshine.
That single click triggers a chain reaction; circles start exploding, and other circles colliding with the shockwaves explode as well, creating their own shockwaves, which then catch other circles.
It's been done before, yes, but this one is a great iteration. The soundtrack is mellow, with lots of piano and some nice percussion (not electronic - it sounds like drums).
At each level you need to make a certain number of circles explode to go on to the next level. I got up to level 12, where you get 60 circles and need to make 55 of them explode. And then I kept trying and trying, but simply couldn't get it. I did get to 54 circles a couple of times, but as they say, you don't get points for trying.
There's no time limit, so you can carefully study the pattern of motion and place your click at the exact right place to create the best chain reaction. I've found that clicking near the middle of the screen works quite well, especially if the balls are slowly moving in that direction. By the time the first shockwave dies off, the oncoming balls usually hit it and the chain reaction continues.
What level did you reach? Screenshots please!Boomshine is a soothing-yet-frustrating time waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
That single click triggers a chain reaction; circles start exploding, and other circles colliding with the shockwaves explode as well, creating their own shockwaves, which then catch other circles.
It's been done before, yes, but this one is a great iteration. The soundtrack is mellow, with lots of piano and some nice percussion (not electronic - it sounds like drums).
At each level you need to make a certain number of circles explode to go on to the next level. I got up to level 12, where you get 60 circles and need to make 55 of them explode. And then I kept trying and trying, but simply couldn't get it. I did get to 54 circles a couple of times, but as they say, you don't get points for trying.
There's no time limit, so you can carefully study the pattern of motion and place your click at the exact right place to create the best chain reaction. I've found that clicking near the middle of the screen works quite well, especially if the balls are slowly moving in that direction. By the time the first shockwave dies off, the oncoming balls usually hit it and the chain reaction continues.
What level did you reach? Screenshots please!Boomshine is a soothing-yet-frustrating time waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Build Your Own Twin-Lens Reflex Film Camera
Last year, I reveiwed the Minox Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF 5.0 “tribute” camera (see related products links at the bottom) that reminded me of the old Imperial Reflex 620 Duo camera my mother had owned.� I was very disappointed in the tiny, low-res images captured by that almost $300 toy-like camera.� If only ThinkGeek had the [...]
Best Buy sells almost as many iPhones as Apple store, AT&T and Verizon sell way more than both
A survey of iPhone shoppers from December last year through February, reveals that 13% had bought their iPhones from Best Buy, while 15% had purchased theirs directly from Apple. Of course, carriers brought in the lion's share of sales; AT&T sold to 32% of those surveyed, Verizon claimed 30%, and Sprint a less-than-impressive 7%. The survey, conducted by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, also showed that online stores only accounted for 24% of sales, with regular brick-and-mortar establishments taking up the remaining 76%.
The Many Monuments to Russia's Beloved MiG [Planes]
The MiG-15 dominated the skies when made its debut in the Korean war. One of the USSR's first successful swept-wing aircraft it has since become the most-built jet of all time. Our friends at Oobject have assembled the most soaring monuments to the Soviet's favorite fighter. More »
MOG opens its doors to Windows with new desktop application
Been aching to get your MOG on, now that music streaming service is all over the news, after all that acquisition talk? The proposition just got a bit easier with the introduction of a new application for Windows. The desktop-bound version of the service features built-in AirPlay support, a native audio decoder and a UI that should prove familiar to browser-based users. To get the Windows version like the blue fuzzy fellow above (or the boring old Mac app), click the source link below.MOG opens its doors to Windows with new desktop application originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The MOG Blog | MOG | Email this | Comments
Friday, March 23, 2012
The Most Intense Firefighter Helmet Camera Videos [Video]
Helmet cameras have a tendency to capture inherently cool stuff. You're probably wearing the helmet for a reason, after all. But firefighter helmet cams are especially incredible because they aren't just some staged event, but a real situation with real people putting themselves in actual danger. More »
Ask DLS: What's your favorite mobile app at the moment?
The mobile app marketplace is exploding; there are now hundreds of thousands of apps on the iOS, Android and BlackBerry app markets. Heck, even Windows Phone 7 just crossed the 10,000 mark!
But alas, not all apps are created equal; some are way, way better than others. Which leads me to today's Ask DLS question: What is your favorite mobile app at the moment?
We don't necessarily mean the latest craze; we'd like to hear about apps that have stood the test of time on your device, apps that are among the first you install on a new smartphones, apps that have earned their place on your home screen and in your heart.
So, what are some of these apps? Bonus points for links to screenshots in the comments!Ask DLS: What's your favorite mobile app at the moment? originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
But alas, not all apps are created equal; some are way, way better than others. Which leads me to today's Ask DLS question: What is your favorite mobile app at the moment?
We don't necessarily mean the latest craze; we'd like to hear about apps that have stood the test of time on your device, apps that are among the first you install on a new smartphones, apps that have earned their place on your home screen and in your heart.
So, what are some of these apps? Bonus points for links to screenshots in the comments!Ask DLS: What's your favorite mobile app at the moment? originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Bagjack NXL Next Level Messenger Bag
When I think messenger bags, Berlin isn’t the first city in the world that comes to mind but �Bagjack has been locally producing handmade messenger bags and accessories since 1993. Their 20 litre capacity Messenger NXL (Next Level) is a versatile bag that can be used as a messenger, a briefcase or a backpack (without [...]
Classic Shell now makes Internet Explorer 9 look like IE8
If you used Windows XP for a long time (who didn't?), one of the biggest changes when moving to Windows 7 or Vista was the massively-altered Explorer. While the new Explorer introduces some useful new features, it also removed just as many -- which is where Classic Shell comes in!
We've covered Classic Shell before, but here's the crib note: Classic Shell restores almost every Windows XP-era Explorer feature. The best change, in our opinion, is the reemergence of the 'up' arrow, meaning you now navigate without using the Windows Vista/7 'breadcrumbs' address bar. The status bar yet again shows the total size of your selection, and -- praise be! -- the diabolical Windows 7 Copy File 'copy and replace?' dialog has been replaced with a Windows XP lookalike (image after the break).
New to the most recent version of Classic Shell is the ability to make IE9 look like IE8. With Classic Shell the title bar yet again has a caption, so you can see the full title of Web pages. The current security zone and loading progress indicator have been put back into the status bar, too. If you enable 'Show tabs on a separate row,' it's almost like using IE8.
Finally, Classic Shell replaces the omnipotent Windows 7 Start Menu with the age-old 'classic' Windows 2000/XP-style Start Menu. Classic Shell makes the Start Menu skinable, too, if you're into the kind of thing.
As awesome as it sounds, we've only touched on a small section of Classic Shell's feature set. Check the Classic Shell site for a complete list. There's a few more images of Classic Shell in action after the break.
Download Classic Shell for WindowsContinue reading Classic Shell now makes Internet Explorer 9 look like IE8Classic Shell now makes Internet Explorer 9 look like IE8 originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
We've covered Classic Shell before, but here's the crib note: Classic Shell restores almost every Windows XP-era Explorer feature. The best change, in our opinion, is the reemergence of the 'up' arrow, meaning you now navigate without using the Windows Vista/7 'breadcrumbs' address bar. The status bar yet again shows the total size of your selection, and -- praise be! -- the diabolical Windows 7 Copy File 'copy and replace?' dialog has been replaced with a Windows XP lookalike (image after the break).
New to the most recent version of Classic Shell is the ability to make IE9 look like IE8. With Classic Shell the title bar yet again has a caption, so you can see the full title of Web pages. The current security zone and loading progress indicator have been put back into the status bar, too. If you enable 'Show tabs on a separate row,' it's almost like using IE8.
Finally, Classic Shell replaces the omnipotent Windows 7 Start Menu with the age-old 'classic' Windows 2000/XP-style Start Menu. Classic Shell makes the Start Menu skinable, too, if you're into the kind of thing.
As awesome as it sounds, we've only touched on a small section of Classic Shell's feature set. Check the Classic Shell site for a complete list. There's a few more images of Classic Shell in action after the break.
Download Classic Shell for WindowsContinue reading Classic Shell now makes Internet Explorer 9 look like IE8Classic Shell now makes Internet Explorer 9 look like IE8 originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Daily Crunch: Power Supply Edition
Behind The Scenes At The Impossible Project?s Resurrected Polaroid Facility ?The Best Chance To Beat Gasoline:? An Excerpt From Seth Fletcher?s Bottled Lightning The ZEHST Is The 3,000 MPH, Zero Emissions Airplane Of 2050 Japan Takes Top Spot From China: Fujitsu?s ?K? Is The World?s Most Powerful Supercomputer Finally, A Solar Powered Netbook Comes To [...]
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Live your life like there's no tomorrow with David Lee Roth in a box (video)
Seriously, guys, when was the last time you ran with the devil? It's been a while, hasn't it? Leave it to David Lee Roth to show us all the way, yet again, this time courtesy of Arduino-based soundbox created with help from the Adafruit Wave Shield. The box runs on a nine-volt battery and has a big trigger button on the top that plays what sounds like Roth's infamous "Runnin' With the Devil" isolated vocal tracks through a speaker on the bottom. The box's builder has promised more to come -- we'd like to request a Murry Wilson "I'm a genius, too" box, if one isn't already in the pipeline.Continue reading Live your life like there's no tomorrow with David Lee Roth in a box (video)Live your life like there's no tomorrow with David Lee Roth in a box (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Make Magazine, Adafruit | tgtsfkncld (Flickr) | Email this | Comments
Apple orders iCab iOS browser to cripple JavaScript modules
The developer of iCab Mobile, a feature-rich alternative to the Safari Web browser on iPad and iPhone, has been ordered by Apple to remove its ability to download and install JavaScript modules.
Presumably it's not the fact that iCab can execute JavaScript that's causing Apple to apoplectically puff and splutter, but rather its ability to download modules. Both Apple and Google frown upon apps that contain market-like functionality, and someone at Apple probably thought that iCab's JavaScript modules looked like a bit too much like discrete apps.
Alexander Clauss, iCab's developer, has rather a lot to say on the matter. "Maybe if I would have called the modules 'smart bookmarks' and would have made installing them much more complicated, Apple would have never asked to remove the ability to download them from the internet. The great user experience of installing modules has probably created a suspicion that these modules are more than just a piece of JavaScript code. From a pure technical point of view, if Apple does not allow to download modules (JavaScript code), Apple would also have to disallow to load web pages in general, because these do also contain JavaScript code."
In conclusion, to circumvent Apple's draconian decree, iCab Mobile now simply comes bundled with some 20 JavaScript modules. The ability to download modules made by third-party developers has been disabled, however -- but even then, Clauss says that you can simply contact him and ask for your module to be bundled with the next version of iCab.
Download iCab Mobile for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch ($1.99)Apple orders iCab iOS browser to cripple JavaScript modules originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Presumably it's not the fact that iCab can execute JavaScript that's causing Apple to apoplectically puff and splutter, but rather its ability to download modules. Both Apple and Google frown upon apps that contain market-like functionality, and someone at Apple probably thought that iCab's JavaScript modules looked like a bit too much like discrete apps.
Alexander Clauss, iCab's developer, has rather a lot to say on the matter. "Maybe if I would have called the modules 'smart bookmarks' and would have made installing them much more complicated, Apple would have never asked to remove the ability to download them from the internet. The great user experience of installing modules has probably created a suspicion that these modules are more than just a piece of JavaScript code. From a pure technical point of view, if Apple does not allow to download modules (JavaScript code), Apple would also have to disallow to load web pages in general, because these do also contain JavaScript code."
In conclusion, to circumvent Apple's draconian decree, iCab Mobile now simply comes bundled with some 20 JavaScript modules. The ability to download modules made by third-party developers has been disabled, however -- but even then, Clauss says that you can simply contact him and ask for your module to be bundled with the next version of iCab.
Download iCab Mobile for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch ($1.99)Apple orders iCab iOS browser to cripple JavaScript modules originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Quickly and easily build an organized collection of recipes with Basil ?A Smart Recipe Book For iPad
Basil ? A Smart Recipe Book For iPad is app that lets you save recipes for around the web and keep them organized. It features a very simple and basic UI so that it's easy to see and use while cooking.
CamOne Infinity Is the First Action Cam With Interchangeable Lenses [Cameras]
The CamOne Infinity is an action cam with a key difference that could help set it apart from the GoPro if it arrives to market: it has interchangeable lenses. More »
The birds take their war against the pigs to the stars in Angry Birds Space
Angry Birds is everywhere; in Rio, in HD, celebrating the Seasons?now, those pesky pigs and amazing birds have blasted into space. Angry birds fans rejoice! Angry Birds Space was just released this morning into the App Store where the war between the birds and pigs continues in outer space on tiny planets.
Shocker: Windows 8 will be 'retina' display friendly
We suppose Microsoft didn't have to make Windows 8 play nice with the new rash of extremely pixel-dense displays. But, that would be tantamount to OS suicide. So, we're not particularly surprised to hear that the latest and greatest Windows will support resolutions up to 2560 x 1440 on screens as small as 10.1 inches. That's a pretty impressive 291 pixels per inch. Of course, it's not quite as simple as it sounds. While in an ideal world, every UI element would be resolution independent, that's simply not the case and the infrastructure isn't there to support it. Instead graphical elements, including text, must be scaled to fill the available pixels. Microsoft's scheme will use 100 percent for standard density displays, 140 for HD and 180 for quad-XGA panels. Thankfully, the company was smart enough to include support for SVG files as UI elements, meaning that density and resolution independent future is at least one step closer. For loads more details hit up the source link.Shocker: Windows 8 will be 'retina' display friendly originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechCrunch | Building Windows 8 | Email this | Comments
Thursday, March 22, 2012
We?ve Lost Control Again: Return of the DJ [Music]
When the MP3 revolution hit its stride, the coolest thing about it was how much control we were given over our music. Weightless files and tiny players let you carry your entire library around with you, all the time. Anything you wanted to listen to - so long as you had already hunted it down - was available instantaneously with a swipe of the finger. No longer would we be limited by what we could physically carry, or what a radio network chose to play. More »
Your Old Smart Cover Might Not Work With the New iPad [Ipad]
The new iPad is a lot like the old iPad, except when it comes to Smart Covers. Apparently some old Smart Covers and third-party cases aren't working with the new iPad. The reason? Polarity matters now. More »
Google Street View takes you to the Amazon, without all the pesky piranhas
So, before a company of the same name started making your e-readers, the Amazon was a river. And now, thanks to Google, you can take a boat ride down that body of water, without having to deal with all of those scary river monsters. In celebration of World Forest Day, Google has added a tour of the Amazon to the Street View functionality of Maps. Interested parties can travel down the river and hike along trails with 360 degree panoramic views, courtesy of some 50,000 photos nabbed with help from the Street View trike.Google Street View takes you to the Amazon, without all the pesky piranhas originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Official Google Blog | Email this | Comments
In-app payment support arrives on Android
Right on cue, Google has launched in-app payment support for Android applications. Developer testing began last week, and now many popular apps -- like the ones pictured above -- can begin charging users for add-on functionality, content, or whatever the heck else they feel is worthy of additional bits of your pocket change. If you were wondering, Google will take the same 30% cut that Apple takes from in-app purchases.
At last we can buy individual issues in Comics with minimal fuss!In-app payment support arrives on Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
At last we can buy individual issues in Comics with minimal fuss!In-app payment support arrives on Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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