Software & Apps News - Page 154

The latest and most important Software & Apps news - Page 154.

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Google release Chrome for Android Beta, just for Android 4.0 devices for now

Anthony Garreffa | Feb 7, 2012 10:12 PM CST

Google have released Chrome for Android Beta, exclusive (for now) for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich devices. Exactly like the desktop-based Chrome, Chrome for Android Beta is focused on speed and simplicity, but also sports seamless sign-in and sync, so you can take your personalized web browsing experience anywhere you go.

Chrome for Android Beta is built for speed, so when searching, your top search results are loaded in the background as you type so that pages appear to load instantaneously. Chrome for Android is built from the ground up for mobile devices, where Google have reimagined tabs so they fit just as naturally on a small-screen smartphone, as they do on the larger-screen tablet.

Privacy is a big deal for Chrome, and Chrome with Android Beta is no different. Chrome for Android Beta includes the famous incognito mode for private browsing as well as fine-grained privacy options.

Continue reading: Google release Chrome for Android Beta, just for Android 4.0 devices for now (full post)

Microsoft says "What do you want to kill today?", replies with "the Start button in Windows 8"

Anthony Garreffa | Feb 7, 2012 5:26 AM CST

Microsoft launched one of the most recognisable components of computing, the Start button. It was launched 17 years ago, with a huge advertising campaign, where its hard for people to not know the Start button now.

When it comes to Windows 8, Microsoft are changing it up, not just a bit, but considerably. The removal of the Start button marks a serious change, where the Start button is replaced by the "hot corner." Instead of clicking the Start button to show the full-screen Metro-style Start Screen, you just flick your mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen, or touch it with your finger, and voila - Metro-style Start Screen.

Why would Microsoft do such a thing? Well, they save some on-screen pixels by removing it. That's it. Imagine long-time Windows users, booting up for the first time, not aware of this news and virtually unprepared for there to not be a Start button. They would think the OS is faulty, or a non-legit version. New users, would be OK, but how would they know to push to the bottom left of the screen to display the Metro interface?

Continue reading: Microsoft says "What do you want to kill today?", replies with "the Start button in Windows 8" (full post)

Firefox 10.0 is now available, includes full screen apps

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 31, 2012 7:46 PM CST

Mozilla have just pushed out Firefox 10 to the masses, with some new features, HTML5-based features, as well as some nifty Developer tools and the usual fixes and improvements. First up, the forward button is gone, well, kinda, it does not show up until you've clicked back - then the forward navigation button will show itself.

Mozilla have said that most add-ons are now compatible with new versions of Firefox by default, anti-aliasing for WebGL has been implemented into Firefox 10.0 as well as CSS3 3D-Transforms now being supported. HTML5-wise, we have the new element for bi-directional text isolation as well as supporting CSS properties. Not only that, but Full Screen APIs now allow you to build a web application that runs in full screen.

Developers get some lovin', with Mozilla adding IndexedDB APIs that more closely match the specification, as well as an "Inspect tool" with content highlighting, and also a new CSS Style Inspector. Some of the problems fixed include a Mac OS X-only problem, where after installing the latest Java release from Apple, Firefox used to crash when closing a tab with a Java applet installed, this is now fixed. Also another problem where some users experienced a crash when moving bookmarks, has been fixed.

Continue reading: Firefox 10.0 is now available, includes full screen apps (full post)

Microsoft begins Technical Preview of Office 15

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 30, 2012 11:26 PM CST

Microsoft reached a development milestone this morning, the beginning of the "Office 15" Technical Preview Program. Office 15 is the codename for the upcoming next-generation version of the Microsoft Office products and services, and the Technical Preview is the first time that Microsoft share their work with a select group of customers under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

Because Microsoft are only at the early stages of Office 15, they can't share too much about what's included, or being worked on in the new Office suite of software. Of course, there is a tease. CVP of Development, Microsoft Office Division, PJ Hough, said in the Office Blogs:

At this early point in our development cycle, I'm not able to share too much about Office 15, but I can tell you Office 15 is the most ambitious undertaking yet for the Office Division. With Office 15, for the first time ever, we will simultaneously update our cloud services, servers, and mobile and PC clients for Office, Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, Project, and Visio. Quite simply, Office 15 will help people work, collaborate, and communicate smarter and faster than ever before. 

Continue reading: Microsoft begins Technical Preview of Office 15 (full post)

VLC gets encrypted Blu-ray playback capabilities thanks to a 'hack'

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 25, 2012 11:14 PM CST

VLC was one of the first open source media players to be capable of playing back encrypted DVD's, and it has now become the first to bring Blu-ray playback capability, too.

But wait, playback of unencrypted Blu-ray ISOs and folder structures has been possible without menus since the version 1.2 release of VLC. The biggest change are the AACS keys database, and how to get it integrated with the VLC installation.

The AACS keys will never be an official releases of VLC, as it enables copy protection circumvention. But, this is definitely a great move for not just VLC, but Blu-ray.

Continue reading: VLC gets encrypted Blu-ray playback capabilities thanks to a 'hack' (full post)

Windows 8 will include simplified wireless connectivity configuration

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 24, 2012 12:28 AM CST

Windows 8 is set to make it easier than ever for users to manage their Wi-Fi and mobile connections, with group program manager on Microsoft's devices and networking team, Billy Anders, publishing a post on Microsoft's Building Windows 8 blog, that outlines steps taken to improve the wireless connectivity experience.

Mobile broadband is being integrated alongside standard Wi-Fi in Windows 8. In Windows 7, it was included, but there were several steps required to be taken before the mobile device could connect, such as installing third-party drivers and software. Microsoft are removing that annoying step, by working with mobile broadband hardware partners to develop a universal driver that will work with all mobile devices and eliminate the need for additional drivers or software.

Windows 8 will include a new networks settings menu that allows you to turn off individual radios (Bluetooth, mobile broadband, Wi-Fi) or disable them all at once with the new airplane mode. This native radio management is said to eliminate conflicts and confusion that is often introduced when third-party manufacturers add their own connection software.

Continue reading: Windows 8 will include simplified wireless connectivity configuration (full post)

TRIM Enabler 2.0 for OS X Lion is now available

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 23, 2012 2:23 AM CST

Originally, this was going to be my "Download of the Day", but I figure that this would only be applicable to a small percentage of users compared to what has now become Download of the Day. Think of this as "Download of the Day 1.5". TRIM Enabler 2.0 for OS X Lion is now available.

What makes this release special? Well, usually TRIM is reserved on Lion for Apple SSDs. Non-Apple SSDs don't get the TRIM goodness within OS X Lion. Older TRIM enablers required Terminal usage, and knowledge on how to use it. Oskar "Cindori" Groth developed an app called TRIM Enabler. The app has hit version 2.0 and is now compatible with OS X Lion. Version 1.x worked in Lion, but included an old kext from Snow Leopard that caused worse performance for some users.

TRIM Enabler 2.0 patches said kext file for you and repairs permissions, something that would normally require the user to do manually through a Terminal-based method. TRIM Enabler also supports S.M.A.R.T. monitoring on some SSDs, allowing the user to see lifetime reads, and the amount of retired blocks, for example.

Continue reading: TRIM Enabler 2.0 for OS X Lion is now available (full post)

Google's Android App Inventor gets open sourced, code has been released

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 22, 2012 8:25 PM CST

In 2011, Google shut down their Google Labs' doors, leaving many, disappointed. Popular app "Android App Inventor" was handed over to MIT, as well as a decently sized donation to help fund a new mobile learning initiative.

What has happened between now and then? Well, behind closed doors, a lot it seems. Google and MIT have just announced the Android App Inventor source code, with both Google and MIT both pleased to announce the initial free and open-source release of App Inventor.

In a blog post on the new MIT website, with app designer Hal Abelson writing:

Continue reading: Google's Android App Inventor gets open sourced, code has been released (full post)

Microsoft's Windows 8 PC and device requirements

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 17, 2012 9:19 PM CST

Windows 8 requirements are quite interesting, more interesting are the details inside for "device requirements". If you want to check them out, here's the link. Better get a coffee, energy drink or similar because it's nearly 1000 pages long. Onto the good stuff!

Within Windows have covered the interesting requirements, where Microsoft have stated that there must be five hardware buttons on Windows 8 tablet/convertible PCs, as well as a minimum component set for tablets and convertible PCs.

Microsoft requires '5-point digitizers', which is a minimum. This means it supports at least a hand of fingers on the screen at once. NFC "touch marks" are featured in Windows 8, where any tablet or slate must have a sticker of similar signage telling the user its NFC-capable. Microsoft also require that Windows 8 has the aforementioned 5 button minimum, with those buttons being Power, Rotation lock, Windows Key, Volume up, and Volume down.

Continue reading: Microsoft's Windows 8 PC and device requirements (full post)

Vodafone releases My Vodafone app for iOS, Android, lets you monitor your data usage

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 16, 2012 12:08 AM CST

Vodafone have started 2012 off with an app release of "My Vodafone" for iOS and Android-based devices. The app lets you monitor your monthly data usage, so you don't go over your data cap and get hit with excess usage charges.

Post-paid (12-, 24-month, or month-to-month) Vodafone customers with a My Vodafone username and password get access to the full suite of functionality in the application. Pre-paid customers can download the app, but to access your account services on pre-paid, the app will link you directly to the mobile version of My Vodafone, where you can log-in.

The app features are:

Continue reading: Vodafone releases My Vodafone app for iOS, Android, lets you monitor your data usage (full post)