News
Opera 10.50 released
Mar 3rd
A new version of the popular internet browser Opera has been finalized and released. Opera states that the new browser is “The fastest browser on Earth” even if synthetic tests show Google’s Chrome to be faster at rendering web pages, but hey, we live in a real work not a synthetic one.
The new version, 10.50 has a new minimal look with integration for Windows 7, the borders had been redesigned to use the aero glass interface and all the menu buttons are now grouped into a single red opera button that opens a drop-down menu of the other settings and functions. The classic features, turbo-mode, opera unite, bookmarks sync, are still there but improved and cleaned.
You can download the new Opera 10.50 now for free from the Opera Website (Windows only for the moment) More >
Windows 7 piracy detection update
Feb 25th
As Microsoft announced, they just released the update that makes Windows 7 harder to activate without genuine licence.This update closes all the used ways to bypass the legal activation on Windows 7, again, not supporting piracy here but I’m sure this update will be “in force” for 1-3 weeks at best. People always find ways around things like this. The update is said to check for 70 known activation exploits by checking the local PC.
The update is called (like any other generic update) “Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB971033).” for 64-bit systems and probably x86-based Systems if you own a 32-bit os flavor.
The description of the update reads : “This update to Windows Activation Technologies detects activation exploits and tampering to key Windows system files. These exploits try to bypass regular Windows activation and are sometimes included with counterfeit copies of Windows.”
Windows Live Messenger 2010
Feb 21st
One of the world’s most used IM software is the client from Microsoft, Windows Live Messenger, known as MSN messenger too. The idea of instant message is to have a simple, secure, and clean user interface at both ends, but still support for collaboration and entertainment.
The next version of WLM is the Live Messenger 2010, or version 15. The Windows Live suite comes in packs called “Waves”, this new version of the messenger will be included in Windows Live Wave 4.
All nice and cool, until I just saw some captures of the renewed interface of this software. In my opinion, it’s not what I call easy to use and clean, the interface looks bloated and with too many options exposed to the user. More >
How to disable Google Buzz
Feb 18th
Since Google introduced it’s new twitter-like platform of sharing ideas and links and soon enough a new marketing opportunity, some users started to worry about the privacy of this Buzz thing.
Well for all those who are worried, Google has a new option to disable the whole Buzz, delete posts, delete personal profile and all the people you were following via Google Buzz.
I personally find Buzz kind of useless, i mean if Google wanted so bad a twitter like platform, they could have bought Twitter, and yes…if someone had the money and capability to develop the service in the future, it’s Google.
The Buzz “Kills switch” is located in the Gmail settings panel, the last tab of it. More >
Windows Phone 7 User Interface
Feb 16th
Microsoft has be fighting for two years to recover the mobile market lost to the iPhone and the app store. It started with the iPod some years ago when Microsoft’s Zune remained in the dark, no one wanted a Zune, people were going to Apple’s alternatives.
Is it possible for the new phone that Microsoft is working on to bring a change in the mobile market ? I don’t think so. It will be a Zune Phone.
I’ve watched this subject for the last days regarding the user interface of the phone, it’s just a Zune with call capability and a very very bad iPhone virtual keyboard ripoff.
Not long ago people were bashing Apple for not including Flash in they’re iPad and iPhone … well it seams that they are not alone, Adobe confirmed no Flash support in Windows Mobile 7.
I forgot to mention that even the keyboard effects are iPhone like, and the one big center button that you press for the home screen…kind of funny in a way or another so see that from Microsoft. More >
Opera Mini for iPhone
Feb 10th
One of the world’s most controversial browser is Opera, the browser that all blamed for the request they made to Microsoft last year to pull Internet Explorer from the default Windows 7 installation; sure this was madness and never approved in the end.
The latest Opera 10.50 Alpha is kind of impressive as speed and features and I must admit the minimalistic default looks always attracted me in computer software.
Now to get back on the subject, Opera just announced that they are working on the iPhone version of the worlds most used browser on Nokia phones (Opera Mini). What does this mean ? This means another Apple-Opera-User fight for the intended use of the device and so on. I am curious about this ever coming to the iPhone that easy, I mean Apple knows how to make users stay with Safari, just like they knew how to reject the Google Voice app from the app store not long ago last year because it “mimics something the phone does already”.
Maybe opera stands a chance but I just can’t imagine Apple allowing users to use another browser then Safari. I sure hope all the best and I want to see this Opera Mini for iPhone out.
Google Buzz, iPhone captures
Feb 10th
Google just lunched a new product, or better call it a service for the users. Google buzz is a way you can communicate your ideas, share what you find interesting or just say hi!. Overall it’s just another twitter micro-blogging platform.
The service is available for desktop users as well as mobile users (i tried it on my iPhone). Up to this moment, not everyone has the buzz feature in gmail. But Google announced they are pushing the feature to all users as soon as possible.
I like the idea but can’t seam to understand why someone would go to this platform when twitter is there for long time and has all this apps and ecosystem around it that got to a point where people use the world “tweet” as part of the daily talk.
But moving right along, i find the idea interesting and it asks for a try, so if you did not tried it yet, go to http://www.google.com/buzz and give it a try now…maybe you are one of the lucky users that got it sooner then others. More >
Android 2.1 for Droid users, this week
Feb 9th
Google’s mobile OS with Motorola’s Droid phone sure make a good pair, this week users of the Motorola Droid phone will get the Android 2.1 update which is rumored to include some fixes but still not all features users wish for, hey…it takes time to develop a mobile os, and even then it can’t satisfy all users. The sad side is that a powerful device such as the Droid that is capable of pretty advanced graphics, will miss all the eye candy (at least for now). More >
Google Nexus One : The Making
Feb 7th
Google’s try to win the mobile market with the Android OS was a partial success but to remain realistic, the effort mostly failed. It’s even hard to compare the support and applications available on the iPhone platform vs. Google’s Android platform even now after some time from Android OS release date.
Nexus One is the Google state of the art phone, incorporating the latest technologies in mobile communication and data access. Even tho’ I’m an iPhone user for some time now, I’m happy to see Google’s variation of the multitouch mobile OS get so nice and intuitive, and on a nice hardware. I would love to get my hand on one of these, and this is the first time I seriously want an Android OS phone.
Google made a video on youtube about the process of making this Nexus One phones, this is the first part of the small presentation More >
iPhone / iPod Touch Firmware 3.1.3
Feb 3rd
A new firmware is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch. The new update is all about bug fixes and security, as Apple states on it’s info page regarding this update.
The fixes include:
- Playing a maliciously crafted mp4 audio file may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
- Viewing a maliciously crafted TIFF image may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution; a person with physical access to a locked device may be able to access the user’s data.
- Accessing a maliciously crafted FTP server could result in an unexpected application termination, information disclosure, or arbitrary code execution.
- Mail may load remote audio and video content when remote image loading is disabled
The update is available to download now via iTunes on Mac or PC.