gadget news and reviews

Mozilla Firefox 2.0 Released +

Less than a week after Microsoft announced Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla has now officially released Firefox 2.0. Numerous blogs and sites linked to Mozilla’s FTP server yesterday in belief that the software had been released earlier than expected, however Mozilla soon stated that the files were not official and were not meant for distribution yet. Either way Firefox 2.0 can now be safely downloaded from Mozilla.com.

Firefox 2.0 brings many improvements and new features from its predecessor. Some of which include reduced memory consumption, improved performance, strengthened security and much more. The following is the official list as stated by Mozilla’s press release:

• Tabbed Browsing – more custom options. close button added to tabs. session history.
• Spell Check – inline spell check for web forms. works with most online blogging tools.
• Search – real-time live results. search engine management options.
• Web Feeds – ability to add feed to live bookmarks, Thunderbird, Google reader, etc.
• ID Theft Protection – spyware/popup blocker. phishing protection. blacklists.
• Customization – more add-ons for specific features. (themes and plugins)

One major difference everyone will notice is the close button which now appears on each tab. It will probably feel awkward at first, but it’s easy to adapt to. Mozilla should have offered a preference to revert back to the old close button at the end of the tab bar. However if you use the “middle-click” button the new feature won’t be an issue. Luckily most popular extensions for Firefox still function properly with 2.0, however Firefox users will still have to wait for many extensions to be updated. Read More

PlayStation 3: Launch Titles +

If you are one of those lucky enough to get a PlayStation 3 during the first shipment, you may also want plan on which game(s) you plan to get. Luckily Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), last week, announced the 21 PS3 launch titles (listed below) which would be available on November 17, 2006, when the console makes its debut. Note: This is the official list as of 10.22.06, check us.playstation.com for updates.

Our PS3 Game Picks:

• Call of Duty 3 – Activision
• F.E.A.R. – Vivendi Universal Games
• Need For Speed Carbon – Electronic Arts
• Sonic the Hedgehog – Sega
• Ridge Racer 7 – Namco Bandi Games

View The Full List

“Our line-up of PS3 games that will be available through the holidays is unprecedented in terms of volume, variety and innovation, surpassing any previous competitive launch catalog and even our own original offerings for other PlayStation platforms,” said Kaz Hirai, CEO – SCEA

Fortunately there are plenty of games ranging from WWII, Racing, to Shooter which will be available during launch to attract a wider audience. However we do find it funny (read quote above) that SCEA’s CEO boasts about “unprecedented volumes” of PS3 games when there will probably not even be enough PS3 owners to buy them. Most PS1/PS2 owners have enjoyed their consoles, so lets hope this one keeps up the standards.

Links: PlayStation 3 Games | PlayStation Press Release Read More

Internet Explorer 7.0 Released +

After 5 long years, yesterday Microsoft finally announced Internet Explorer 7.0. Other than the thousands of security and stability patches that have been applied to IE6, this is by far the largest update since 2001. Microsoft has new built in security tools to supposedly make IE7 much safer than its predecessor. The final edition has been available for download from Microsoft’s website since yesterday, however it won’t appear in the “Windows Update” check until later next month.

Although IE7 is a major improvement over IE6, most Firefox users who upgrade will definitely not find any specific features as strikingly innovative. Microsoft’s IE7 page (hilariously) proudly presents the following as their browser’s new and innovative features:

• A New Theme & Layout
• Tabbed Browsing
• Better Printing
• RSS Feed Support
• Instant Search Box
• Improved security

The initial feature everyone is guaranteed to notice is tabbed browsing. Ignoring the other features, this is probably the most powerful addition to IE7. There is not much new it will bring for Firefox or Opera users, since they already have tabbed browsing, custom themes, search boxes, rss feeds, and are already much safer. The new layout will take quite a while to get adjusted too, since items such as the refresh, stop, and go buttons are now placed in quite awkward locations. Read More

Google Tools For Macs 1

Most Google products, in the past, have often been limited to Windows users. However Google is quickly changing and is constantly releasing more Macintosh supported programs. Even heavy duty applications such as Google Earth are now available for Mac OS (still in beta). Anyways Google has created a simple download page for Mac users to download their apps.

Google Mac Apps:

• Google Notifier
• Google Toolbar
• Google SketchUp
• Picasa Web Albums
• Google Earth
• Google Widgets

Most of these are still in beta, but then again almost every Windows application Google has pushed out is still in beta as well.

Links: Google Downloads For Mac
Related: Google Docs and Spreadsheets Launched

How To: Multiple Montiors 14

If you’re like most computer users nowadays, you probably have multiple applications up and running at the same time. In an effort to “multi-task” it is often be hard and hectic to minimize and open simultaneously multiple windows. (chatting apps, word processor, web browsers, or email clients). Although buggy virtual desktop programs are available, one easy solution is using multiple monitors to create an extended desktop.

What is an extended desktop? As the picture above shows by connecting two monitors to your computer, you the user will now have ability to simply drag a window from one screen onto another. Now not only is it nicer to have to fully maximized applications, but it is also a lot more efficient because more room is available to get work done. Setting up multiple monitors isn’t too difficult either; getting the advantages of a second monitor is actually a lot easier than most people think. Read More

(Product) Red iPod Nano +

Apple, in partnership with “(Product) Red”, released a special edition 4GB RED iPod Nano last Friday. (Product) Red is a new brand which makes partnerships with corporations such as Apple, Motorola, American Express, and Gap in which a percent of the “red” products sold will be contributed towards the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. In this case, $10 will be added to fund for every red iPod Nano sold.

The red iPod Nano will cost $199, which is the same price as all the other 4GB iPod Nano models. Apple also plans to sell (red) iTunes gift cards next month, which will also help contribute to the Global Fund. Overall the (Product) Red is a good deal since it costs the consumer the same price, gives us another color to pick, and helps fight AIDS.

“Now customers can buy the best music player in the world and do something to help the world at the same time,” Steve Jobs, CEO

Since we never got a chance to cover the release of the second generation iPod Nanos due to downtime, here is our quick briefing. The Nanos were announced in mid-September, and are slimmer and skinnier than the original Nano. The new Nano wears an aluminum case and looks very similar to the discontinued iPod Mini’s style. The iPod Nanos are also available in 5 colors and is available in capacities from 2GB-8GB. The unit also has an improved now 24hr battery life, a 40% brighter screen, and new software. All new shipped iPods will also include a set of newly designed headphones which are more comfortable to wear and are suppose to sound better.

Links: (Product) Red – iPod Nano
Related: Join Red | Apple iPod Nano

Google Docs & Spreadsheets +

Only a day after acquiring YouTube, Google has now launched a new online word processing and spreadsheets services called “Google Docs & Spreadsheets”. This service is pretty much an online version of the common “Microsoft Word and Excel” except that it’s free and runs inside of any browser without any extra software. The product is composed of the features taken from Writely, a company they purchased in March 2006, and a spreadsheet application they had developed. Google Docs & Sheets doesn’t seem to be all that well developed yet, but Google will just use their standard “it’s in beta” excuse until they’re ready.

Google Docs & Spreadsheets does have some good features such as online collaboration. Users can easily share files via Gmail, invite users to edit or view, and even track document changes using RSS feeds. Although this may be an easy way of working with documents online, it can be risky to leave confidential information on Google’s servers since Google may index and log your docs for internal purposes.

Google’s greatest intention with this product is probably to take a stab at Microsoft’s “Office Online” product which is supposed to be released soon. Google will most likely succeed since Microsoft’s “Office Online” will not be free. Anyways if you want to try out Google Docs and Spreadsheets you’ll either need to use an existing Gmail/Google Account or create one.

Links: Google Docs And SpreadSheets
Related: Google Acquires Writely

Google Acquires YouTube 1

After being in a “bidding battle” between Google and Yahoo, Google finally acquired YouTube for a whopping $1.65 billion in stock earlier today. YouTube, a user fed social video networking site, recently surpassed MySpace becoming one of the most viewed and visited sites on the internet. The acquisition of this 19-month-old company marks, by far, the largest acquisition made by Google to date. Most had expected this transaction to be unlikely since Google already offers “Google Video” a current former YouTube competitor, but it will now be more interesting to see what happens. gooTube? gTube? Lets hope not.

“The YouTube team has built an exciting and powerful media platform that complements Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” Eric Schmidt, Google CEO. “… Together, we are natural partners to offer a compelling media entertainment service to users …”

The Big Question: What’s in it for Google?
Google plans to start to spread their Adsense advertising throughout YouTube for profit, but most importantly Google wants to gain access into the social networking market. We still do not know Google plans to keep the two services separate or merge them into a “Tube” in the future, however, according to Google, YouTube will remain and operate independently with their 65 employees for the time being. Read More

Killzone: Liberation (PSP) 1

Developer: Guerrilla | Genre: 3rd Person Shooter | Release Date: 10-31-06

Sequel to the title for the PS2, Killzone Liberation fails to impress. Set in a gritty version of the not too distant future, Liberation pits the player against both man and machine in mortal combat. The game has potential, but the controls need to be re-done from scratch to cooperate with the unusual 3rd person view. Aiming and maneuvering while firing are unnecessarily difficult and tedious. Considering how much of the game has to do with killing (“Killzone”), the poorly designed controls definitely places a significant damper on game play.

After testing out the multiplayer option, we soon discovered that most battles seemed invariably to occur around the health dispensers. Weird huh? As one person would shoot the other, the injured can easily go fill up his/(or her) health and continue to fight. Guerrilla should have installed a method similar to that of Half Life, temporarily disabling health canisters after each use. A little choppy and very repetitive, the Ad-Hoc didn’t seem to add much to game’s “fun level” as we had hoped. Read More

Skatter Tech: Expanded View 1

We recently had some requests to offer a wider version of our theme. Our server statistics showed that over 80% of our readers had screen resolutions greater than 1000 pixels wide. Therefore we decided to integrate a second CSS to our site’s theme and a bit of java to allow switching back and forth instantly. With a click of the “Toggle CSS” button, Skatter Tech’s theme should instantly expand from its original 800 pixel wide format into one 1000 pixels wide. We will also leave a tiny cookie in your browser which will save your preference for future visits.

P.S. We have tested this in MSIE 6.0 and Firefox 1.5+, let us know if you were able to get this to work in your browser or if you experienced any problems. Please reply in the comments.

Links: Skatter Tech | Related: We’re Back!