Must-have Firefox 4 add-ons for Chrome and Internet Explorer converts

So you've finally realized that while Chrome might be fast, it sacrifices creature comforts to be so. It's a little bit like living in a whitewashed room with nothing more than a beige-box PC and keyboard -- it works, but it's not a particularly fun experience. If you like car analogies, Chrome is like a race-tuned Ferrari with hard-plastic bucket seats and tubular titanium roll cage.

Likewise, Internet Explorer 8 and 9 will get you safely around the Web -- and quickly, in the case of IE9 -- but if you want to change the UI, or strap on extra functionality, you're bang out of luck because it has less add-ons than Opera has users. Internet Explorer is, in short, the Volvo of Browser Land.

If you want speed, security, functionality and full-featured add-ons, Firefox 4 is the only browser worth talking about. Let's dive in and check out the best add-ons for first-time users and browser converts.

Continue reading Must-have Firefox 4 add-ons for Chrome and Internet Explorer converts

Must-have Firefox 4 add-ons for Chrome and Internet Explorer converts originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/firefox-4-add-ons-for-new-users-chrome-and-internet-explorer-converts/

NANYA TECHNOLOGY NII HOLDINGS NIKON

Delta E4 electric coupe goes out for a spin, carrying lucky humanoid (video)

When was the last time you rode in an electric vehicle almost entirely constructed of carbon fiber and good for 250 miles on a charge? We're laying odds on "never," which is why we turned a shade of violent green when we saw Fully Charged host (and part-time Series 4000 Mechanoid) Robert Llewellyn set foot in just such a car. Delta Motorsport's E4 Coupe, originally designed to win an Automotive X-Prize, is the vehicle we're referring to here, and despite the fact that only one-third of its full projected power was available to coax Mr. Llewellyn firmly into his racing seat (four-wheel drive and regenerative braking are also TBD) and set his teeth on edge, we have to give the man some major props for documenting the experience for us on film. Watch it after the break.

Continue reading Delta E4 electric coupe goes out for a spin, carrying lucky humanoid (video)

Delta E4 electric coupe goes out for a spin, carrying lucky humanoid (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Autoblog Green  |  fullychargedshow (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/QRU2hCpilfk/

JDS UNIPHASE JDA SOFTWARE GROUP JACK HENRY and ASSOCIATES

Useful keyboard shortcuts for Twitter.com

When Twitter.com unveiled its recent overhaul at the end of 2010, one of the least-discussed features was the addition of some excellent keyboard shortcuts.

Some keyboard shortcuts only work from some pages, but we'll mark those where appropriate.

• n -- post a new status update (works from any page)
• r -- reply to your selected tweet
• t -- retweet (only works on Twitter profiles other than your own)
• m -- direct message (but it doesn't auto-fill the recipient)
• / -- move the cursor to the search box
• . -- move back to the top of the page, and check feed for updates
• g then h -- go to your home page (twitter.com)
• g then r -- see your @ mentions
• g then m -- see your direct messages
• g then p -- go to your profile page (twitter.com/username)
• g then u -- go to a specific user's profile page (it pops up a dialog box)

For a complete list of keyboard shortcuts, type ?.

Now, if you don't use Twitter.com (which is about 65% of Twitter's users), these keyboard shortcuts probably won't work. Every installed Twitter client has different keyboard shortcuts (and some don't have any at all). If you want to lessen your mouse hand dependency, your best bet is to simply head to Google and type the name of your client + "keyboard shortcuts".

For more tech tips, check our tips index.

Useful keyboard shortcuts for Twitter.com originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/18/useful-keyboard-shortcuts-for-twitter-com/

JDA SOFTWARE GROUP JACK HENRY and ASSOCIATES IXYS

Corel releases VideoStudio Pro X4, we go hands on (video)

Corel seems to be on a roll lately; after releasing WinZip System Utilities just last week, this morning the company announced VideoStudio Pro X4.

VideoStudio Pro is aimed at home users and small business professionals who want to create professional-looking videos, but without the hassle, steep learning curve and price of Adobe Premiere Pro and the likes.

This new version introduces several features:

• Stop motion animation: You can now capture still frames using a webcam, camcorder or DSLR and use them to produce an animation. Tools such as "onion skin view" let you compare the previous image in the sequence with the current one and make the animation as smooth as possible.
• Processor optimization: Corel says the app is optimized for Intel's new Sandy Bridge systems, and have shown us some graphs with very impressive numbers. We've been unable to test this particular point, but if you have a recent-generation Intel or AMD Fusion system, VideoStudio performance should be blazing. Even on our older test system performance was quite impressive.
• Customizable workspace: You can drag the video preview window to your secondary monitor (if you have one) and tweak just about any other element in the window layout. Once done, you can save your ideal workspace in one of three slots.
• Share-to-Web: VideoStudio Pro X4 hooks directly into YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Flickr, so you don't even have to launch a browser to upload your final product. Edit, produce and share from within the app itself.
• Smart Package: Video projects typically consist of many files; Smart Package lets you bundle all video assets for a given project into one ZIP file which you can password-protect and keep in a safe place once you're done editing.

I've had a chance to play around with a pre-release version for a few days, and have put it through its paces editing a short video for my day job. Overall, I've been impressed with how easy it was to create pro-looking results. If you do any sort of video editing but are leery of the investment other apps require (both in dollars and effort), VideoStudio Pro is well worth checking out. To see a bit of the interface itself and what the app can do, watch the video after the jump.

Note: We'll be running a give-away of ten VideoStudio Pro X4 licenses later today, each worth $100 USD. Keep your eyes peeled for the giveaway post!

Continue reading Corel releases VideoStudio Pro X4, we go hands on (video)

Corel releases VideoStudio Pro X4, we go hands on (video) originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/corel-releases-videostudio-pro-x4-we-go-hands-on/

NETGEAR NCR NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR

Fox asks Time Warner to stop streaming its channels to customers' iPads

While we'd heard many networks were unhappy with Time Warner's decision to release its live TV streaming iPad app and there have even been whispers of cease-and-desist letters in the offing, Fox has put a request to have its channels excluded in writing. At issue is whether or not their agreement allows Time Warner to provide the channel on devices other than the TV -- while TWC is confident it does since it only works within the customer's home, the networks would apparently like to renegotiate before conceding anything. Senior VP of Fox Networks Group Scott Grogin confirmed the letter was sent but did not reveal any details about its contents. Following the battle plan of its last battle with Fox, Time Warner Cable has preemptively put up a IWantMyTWCableTVApp site asking customers to show support for the TWCable TV app against the networks. We'll wait to see who blinks first and remember that Dish is already slinging channels to tablets with wild abandon while Comcast and Cablevision have plans for similar implementations on the way.

Fox asks Time Warner to stop streaming its channels to customers' iPads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Bloomberg, I Want My TWCable TV App  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/30/fox-asks-time-warner-to-stop-streaming-its-channels-to-customers/

SANDISK SALESFORCE COM SAIC

Witness Turns Your Mac and iPhone into a Burglar Alarm

Witness uses your Mac's iSight camera to detect movement and sound the alarm

If you own both a Mac and an iPad, it?s a fair bet that you also have a home stuffed with other electronic gear, the kind of gear that burglars like to, well, burglarize. Luckily, there?s an app for that.

It?s called Witness, and it turns your Mac into a motion-activated security camera. When running, it monitors your room with using the iSight camera, and when it detects movement it sends an alert to your iPhone or iPad.

Included with the alert are photos and videos, so you can either rest easy knowing that Kitty has jumped up on the desk again, or watch in horror as your home is emptied miles from where you are standing.

Forgot to activate the alarm? You can do it remotely from the phone.

Witness seems like a great idea, but for a couple of things: you need to leave your Mac running 24/7 while you are away, which is something of a waste of electricity. It also requires an internet connection, so the smart thief could just cut the power on entry ? it?s pretty unlikely that your Mac is out in the hallway where the breakers are often kept.

Aside from this, though, it?s nice not to be worrying about the house when you?re out. The Mac App costs $40, and the companion iOS app is free.

Witness product page [Orbicule]

See Also:

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/03/witness-turns-your-mac-and-iphone-into-a-burglar-alarm/

ZORAN ZIONS BAN YAHOO

New and updated iPhone and iPad apps for Wednesday, March 30 [give-away]

Every day, TiPb gets flooded with announcements for new and updated iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps and games. So every day we pick just a few of the most interesting, the most notable, and simply the most awesome to share with you! RoboSockets: Link Me Up (give-away): This fun little match-3 game is now [...]

New and updated iPhone and iPad apps for Wednesday, March 30 [give-away] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/cRtt_SR1pbg/

MOODYS MISCROSOFT OFFICE MICROSOFT

Sony?s Wireless Headphones, 100 Meter Range, 25 Hour Life

Sony's MDR-RF865RK headphones beam your tunes up to 100 meters

Not only will Sony?s new MDR-RF865RK headphones break your jaw if you try to speak their name out loud, they will wirelessly beam your music up to 330 feet. That means that Usain Bolt could strap them on at the start line and fire up his iPod. Then, 100 meters and 9.58 seconds later, he could still be listening to the opening bars of his Power Song, his iPod left alone beside the starting blocks.

Should the Lighting Bolt so choose, he could then adjust the volume up or down, depending on how celebratory he is feeling, via a knob on the side of the cans, and continue to enjoy listening for a very respectable 25 hours. Then, when he is finally tired of listening to the Gadget Lab Podcast (as if that were even possible), he could toss the headphones onto their charging post and in just 3.5 hours, they?d be ready to go again.

And in April you, too, can own the headphones of champions. Price TBA.

MDR-RF865RK product page [Sony]

See Also:

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/03/sonys-wireless-headphones-100-meter-range-25-hour-life/

SYNNEX SYMANTEC SYKES ENTERPRISES INORATED

VZ Navigator for the HTC Merge shows up in Android Market

The HTC Merge has sure spent a lot of time in the spotlight, once emerging with Verizon branding, then heading its way to Alltel, and now more confusion to the pot. In the Android Market has surfaced the VZ Navigator for Merge application, which would be the HTC Merge specific version, as we have seen with other devices as well. Things get even more interesting when we have a look at Verizon's exclusive Indycar Mobile app page, where the Merge is listed alongside other known, newish devices that should be seeing the app soon. Could it be, could the HTC Merge be coming to Verizon after all? We have no release information, or if this is a goof up, but the VZ Navigator application appears to have just been released today. [Android Market] Thanks, David!

VZ Navigator for the HTC Merge shows up in Android Market posted originally by Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/3Vjhx1ERe3E/vz-navigator-htc-merge-shows-android-market

EMS TECHNOLOGIES EMC ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING

With +1, Google Search Goes Truly Social ? As Do Google Ads

Back in early December of last year, we first reported that Google was toying around with the name "+1" for an upcoming social product. At the time, we were told it was sort of like Google's version of the "like" or "retweet" button. Today it officially launches as a way to share Google Search results that you like with your friends and the broader web in general. Oh, and also a way to inject social into Google Ads. To be clear, the version of +1 which is beginning to roll out today is not the toolbar version that we first got a glimpse of in December, that's apparently a different version that was being tested. This version of +1 actually launching is a small button that will reside next to each and every Google Search result. If you like the result, you click the +1 button and it gets shared with your social circle ? and the public (more on that in a bit).

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/mMVdxxY1T5g/

SYMANTEC SYKES ENTERPRISES INORATED SYBASE

Google adding a +1 button to search results, hopes you Like it

Looks like not even mighty Google itself is able to resist the charms of a bit of widespread internet shorthand. +1, whether used to uprank an Engadget comment or in freehand writing to signify one's support / approval of something, is making its way into Google search results. You'll soon be able to throw a single thumb up on links or ads you find useful, which will then be used to inform your buddies about the value of that site. Recommendations are filtered using a typically complex algorithm intended to make them as relevant as possible, with people within your social circle (i.e. Gtalk buddies and Gmail contacts) getting a higher priority. The new +1 button will start off with English Google search and ads soon, to be followed by more products in Google's portfolio and potentially more social linkups, such as via Twitter. The usual explanatory video follows after the break.

Continue reading Google adding a +1 button to search results, hopes you Like it

Google adding a +1 button to search results, hopes you Like it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  The Official Google Blog  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/30/google-adding-a-1-button-to-search-results-hopes-you-like-it/

INFORMATICA INFOCUS ZORAN

Cook And Patzer On Intuit?s Growth, The Payment Graph, And Product Focus

Last night I caught up with Intuit founder Scott Cook and Aaron Patzer, the founder of Mint who know runs Intuit's personal finance group. I whipped out my iPhone and did an impromptu interview. Cook and Patzer talk about where growth is coming from at Intuit, how it tries to encourage entrepreneurism, and the "payment graph." Cook is really excited about SnapTax, the TurboTax iPhone app that lets people do their taxes by snapping a picture of their W-2 forms. The same OCR technology will soon be baked into the company's upcoming GoPayment apps for accepting checks via photo. Patzer came into Intuit through the $170 million acquisition of Mint. Cook knows the value of injecting entrepreneurial DNA into the larger organization, and he tries to foster that spirit throughout Intuit. Since Intuit bought Mint, it's kept on growing from 1.7 million to 5.6 million users, and gradually it is being connected with hooks into Intuit's more established products like TurboTax and Quicken. Off camera I asked why doesn't QuickBooks offer a similar service to help businesses visualize and organize their expenses like Profitably does with QuickBook's APIs, and Patzer agreed, "That is something that should be in QuickBooks." (That is just his opinion, he doesn't run QuickBooks).

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/5nP2OTF-z4Y/

IBASIS HYPERCOM HEWLETT PACKARD CO

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

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/28/mitoza-is-a-fun-freaky-web-toy-with-an-artistic-look/

TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES TNS TIBCO SOFTWARE

Google Brings Back The ChatBot: Google Talk Guru

Remember back in the early days on instant messaging when people figured out that they could set up chatbots that users would interact with? Yeah, they were fun for like 20 minutes. But don't tell Google that ? they're bringing one back today! Google Talk Guru is an "experimental" Google Labs service that allows you to chat with a bot to get information you're looking for. What kind of information? Sports results, weather, definitions, translations, etc.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/5P4lGmtmxiY/

LINEAR TECHNOLOGY LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS

Interlocked is a three-dimensional brain teaser

Back when I was a kid, I used to love crafting ornate puzzle boxes out of Lego. There would be just one way to open the box, by carefully shifting and rotating a bunch of pieces. Well, either that, or breaking the box in frustration.

Interlocked takes that spirit and turns it into a beautiful Flash game. It's a good thing the soundtrack is soothing, because the game itself can get pretty frustrating.

At the start of each level, you're presented with a box built out of blocks in different colors. You can click and drag the mouse to rotate the box any which way. Once you decide you want to shift a part of the box, hit SPACE to switch into "move" mode. You can then click any part of the box and drag it. Of course, you can only move a part as long as nothing is in its way. So it becomes a matter of understanding how the box is built, and what parts you need to move around so you could eventually take the box apart.

It's a tricky, difficult game, but it's a great brain teaser -- and definitely a keeper.

Interlocked is a three-dimensional brain teaser originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/29/interlocked-is-a-three-dimensional-brain-teaser/

MICROS SYSTEMS MICRON TECHNOLOGY MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY

WinZip System Utilities Suite giveaway

WinZip has just released WinZip System Utilities Suite! Earlier today we published a quick hands-on with the app, but why should we have all the fun?

While you can always download the trial version, WinZip has also provided us with 10 full System Utilities licenses to give away! To enter our random draw, you just have to leave a comment. Full terms and conditions are after the break.

Continue reading WinZip System Utilities Suite giveaway

WinZip System Utilities Suite giveaway originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/14/winzip-system-utilities-suite-giveaway/

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL FAIR ISAAC FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS

Microsoft Wants Internet Explorer 6 Dead in the Worst Way

Most companies are a little averse to killing their own products.

Not Microsoft, at least with Internet Explorer 6. If the increasingly antiquated Web browser were a vampire, Microsoft would be Van Helsing doing his utter best to slam a stake through its heart. That's because, at least in Microsoft's eyes, IE 6 *is* something of a vampire: aging, potentially dangerous and curiously unable to die.

Instead of a stake, though, Microsoft's killing instrument is a Website, titled "The Internet Explorer 6," which features the company practically begging people to stop using IE 6. Although only a tiny percentage of people continue to use IE 6 in the United States (2.9 percent), it still maintains a substantial market presence in places such as China (34.5 percent) and Japan (10.3 percent).

"The Web has changed significantly over the past 10 years," reads a note on the Website. "The browser has evolved to adapt to new Web technologies, and the latest versions of Internet Explorer help protect you from new attacks and threats." Translation: IE 6 is really slow, stupendously vulnerable, possibly has a near-controllable hankering to suck your blood, yada-yada.

Despite Microsoft's push, a sizable number of users continue to rely on IE 6 in conjunction with Windows XP, another legacy platform the company desperately wants the world to abandon in favor of Windows 7. A variety of enterprises and SMBs continue to use Windows XP and IE 6 as a platform for proprietary software whose code-base was written some time ago.

When I wrote about this issue yesterday on eWEEK, one anonymous commenter also offered an interesting explanation for IE 6's continued presence. "Look at the countries with the highest representation of IE 6. How do they line up with a list of countries with the highest rates of software piracy?" they wrote. "If you're running a pirated copy of Windows XP, and as a result cannot legitimately get updates from Microsoft, you're stuck with IE6."

That could be an explanation, too. Whatever the case, Microsoft wants its antiquated browser buried deep. It also hopes that users will gravitate towards IE 9, whose Release Candidate the company recently made available online. Some 25 million testers played around with the IE 9 beta, offering feedback in areas such as performance and standards, user experience and privacy and safety.

Even if Microsoft manages to kill the vampire, though, it still faces a handful of boogeymen: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and other browsers making strong plays for browser market share.

Source: http://feeds.ziffdavisenterprise.com/~r/RSS/MicrosoftWatch/~3/RG_WnDLXj7k/microsoft_wants_internet_explorer_6_dead_in_the_worst_way.html

OSI SYSTEMS ORACLE OPENWAVE SYSTEMS

The Most Colorful, Readable Radiation Dosage Chart Yet [Factoid]

We've been talking a lot about radiation lately—and with good reason—but it's been difficult to keep track of just what all those numbers mean. How much is safe? How much is bad? How many bananas do I have to eat before I mutate? This chart shows us in clean, beautiful, terrifying strokes. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/mQs6g7SoKaA/the-most-beautiful-readable-radiation-dosage-chart-yet

AMPHENOL ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL APPLE COMPUTER