Firefox 4 Released: Better, Faster, Stronger
A release candidate of Mozilla Firefox 4 is now available for Mac, Windows & Linux. The new version of the open-source browser had previously been in Beta for the past month and a half, but no worries- Firefox 4 Beta users' browsers will update automatically.
Mozilla is reporting that around 70% of their existing plug-ins and "add-ons" are functioning with the RC, including my personal favorite, Panorama, formerly known as Tab Candy. This is a fantastic feature for tab-addicts like myself who commonly have +20 tabs open at any given time. Panorma allows you to organize and aggregate tabs into themed or customized arrangements away from your browser window, so it's easy to see them. A large improvement to cycling 45 tabs who's title heading is one letter long. Also, with a version of Firefox available on iOS that will Sync (another cool add-on) everything from your personal computer settings.
Much like the recent Safari and Chrome updates, this update should improve Firefox's speed substantially from its previous version. And according to Mozilla, they've fixed over 8,000 bugs (wow).
If you're a developer or a tester, don't forget to check out Mozilla's Web O' Wonder.
Read More ...
LinkedIn Today Told Me About LinkedIn Today. Today.
LinkedIn, everybody's favorite professional social media networking site unveiled its new "News" feature (still in Beta) today in conjunction with a press conference. "Today" is part of a suite of new features that the already successful startup is rolling out in the near future to further endear themselves to social professionals.
[I hope everyone appreciates the Inception-level of meta-irony here]
"Today" utilizes a LinkedIn user's already existing professional network and the industry in which that person currently works to share relevant and current news. It is yet another information aggregator, but there's not a heavy degree of customization required if you've already a LinkedIn user. And unless your industry is Aeronautical Internet Pancakes, "following" relevant industries is as easy as the click of a button in a conveniently located side bar.
The other two features are "InMaps", a visual depiction of your professional network, and a "Skills" interface that tells you what people are using what skills in which industry.
This last one doesn't seem that exciting. But, I am definitely excited to replace or otherwise enhance those weekly/daily email digests/alerts I get from LinkedIn.
Here's a somewhat campy promotional video from LinkedIn that made me laugh:
Read More ...
SpyParty: Everyone's Invited To It
If you haven't had the chance to play SpyParty yet, it's a combination of Metal Gear Solid and that one level that exists in every FPS where you only have a sniper rifle. But more classic.
The IGF Seumas McNally Grand Prize runner-up (Minecraft won) was one of the most popular indie destinations at GDC last week, with people lined up to get in on the action. The game itself has a nostalgic arcade feel, but the gameplay is wonderfully and psychologically complex. One player is a Sniper, one is a Spy, and the former has no idea who the latter is. The Spy can blend into an entire dinner party of characters, and must complete a host of secret missions while simultaneously avoiding detection. This is difficult, because the Sniper has been "briefed" (i.e. the instructions to the game) on all of the "tells" a Spy could possibly evince. The Spy has the advantage of being able to see the laser-sight of the Sniper, and thus know where he or she is looking at all times. Catch is: there's a time-limit, so one of you has to make a move at some point.
Game Designer Chris Hecker has succeed in creating a smart, thrilling, psychological game. In fact, it's absurdly addictive, and the inherent violence of the game is described only though the sound of a silenced rifle shot and the screams of the other partygoers. No gore, no blood- nothing overdone. And the environment is so voyeuristic and immersive that you start to panic almost immediately. If you're playing in person, you are almost face to face with your opponent, who is either hunting you or trying to evade you- not a typical video-game experience.
"Screenwatching" would make a round of this game quite short, so it's best played online or with two back-to-back screens, even better if you can't see your opponent's face. Or maybe just their eyes.
Absolutely riveting.
Here's some video of Hecker and SpyParty's GDC booth from last week. You can hear one of the volunteers explain some of the finer points of the game. SpyParty's release date is TBA, but expect it to be available as a pay-download on the XBox Live Network. Price is also TBA. More information here.
Read More ...
Kingston SSDNow V+100 256GB Solid State Drive Review
Introduction
One of the biggest surprises we learned at CES 2011 was that Kingston had joined Team SandForce for the SF-2000 Series of products. After CES we learned from Digitimes that Kingston was also moving to acquire a larger stake of controller manufacturer JMicron at the same time. Kingston has been gaining attention for their solid state drive products for the last two years and slowly gaining market share. The recent maneuvers will allow Kingston to continue building upon their successes and become an even larger player in the global solid state drive market.
A majority of Kingston's SSD success to date has come from Kingston's V and V+ Series of products. These two series were very successful for the company and had a long reign in the active lineup. At the end of 2010 Kingston announced the successors to the V and V+ lineup and the new 100 products were born.
Today we are looking at the Kingston V+100. The new V+100 uses a 32nm Toshiba T6UG1XBG controller that is very close to the 43nm controller from the original V+. The new die size has really helped power draw, down to 3.6 watts from 4.2 watts. In addition to the die shrink, the new V+100 has been updated with better firmware that significantly improves internal drive cleanup (Garbage Collection).
Before we get too deep into all of the technical specifications, let's move over to the specifications page and look at the total package. After that we will get to the performance testing.
.... Read the full content in your browser!
Read More ...
No comments:
Post a Comment