There was a time when Firefox was the Web browser for the cool kids who knew their tech. Most would still agree that it's better than Internet Explorer, but that's damning it with faint praise. Over the last year or so, Firefox has become better known in tech savvy circles for its relatively poor performance and mediocre memory management. Chrome's insane speed and Internet Explorer 8's overall improvement have also dinged Firefox's reputation. But now, Firefox 3.5 is almost ready to go. Does it have what it takes?
I downloaded the latest beta, Firefox 3.5 beta 4, to find out for myself. I used it on two different PCs. The first was my workhouse Windows XP SP3 system, and the other was my Fedora 10 computer. The XP box was a Dell Inspiron 530S with a 2.2-GHz Intel Pentium E2200 dual-core processor, 4GBs of RAM, a 500GB SATA drive and an Integrated Intel 3100 GMA (Graphics Media Accelerator). For Fedora, I used a Gateway GT5622 desktop with a 1.8GHz Intel Pentium E2160 dual-core CPU, 3GBs of RAM, a 400GB SATA drive, and an Intel 950 GMA.
On both systems, installing the browser took no more than five minutes. Once installed, I found that my two must-have Firefox extensions the Google Toolbar and XMarks were both working.
However, on Windows, I found that two other extensions were DOA. These were the AVG Safe Search 8.5 malware detector and the Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.0. I wasn't too surprised by either one. TheAVG program has had issues with other versions of Firefox and the .NET Framework program has always been a pain.
I should also note that, unlike Google Chrome, Firefox has a mature family of extensions. I really like Chrome a lot, but it's still taking baby steps when it comes to using extensions for added functionality.
Where Chrome still zooms by Firefox is when it comes to rendering speed. That's especially true when it comes to JavaScript-heavy pages. Firefox 3.5's TraceMonkey JavaScript rendering engine is much faster than what you'll find in the Firefox 3.0 series and Internet Explorer doesn't belong in the performance conversation.
Still Chrome 2.0's V8 JavaScript engine beats TraceMonkey handily. Using the SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark on the XP system, Firefox 3.5 was almost twice as slow as Chrome 2.0 at the benchmark with a recorded time of 1,225.6-millisecond to Chrome 2.0's 704.0. If speed is what matters the most to you, Chrome is the browser for you.
On the other hand, after running Firefox for days and with multiple windows and tabs, I found that on both Windows and Linux, Firefox is finally not hogging memory. Even with the debugging code that must be in a beta, I found that Firefox is no longer leaking memory. That's good for both the browser's stability and its security.
I also noticed that Firefox has borrowed several nice improvements from Chrome. For example, it uses DNS (Domain Name System) pre-fetching so that when you click on a link you'll get to its page a bit faster.
The new Firefox also has some nice features of its own. It now supports embedded Ogg and WAV video and audio format without the need for a helper program. It also far better privacy settings so you can use your own, or any other, computer without leaving any traces behind of what you've been doing.
All-in-all, I found this beta to be a real step up from Firefox 3.0.x. Still, I find myself wishing that I could have a Firefox with Chrome's speed or Chrome that works on multiple operating systems and with Firefox's abundance of extensions. If you're already a confirmed Firefox user though you'll want to switch over to Firefox 3.5 as soon as the final version comes out. Look for it sometime in mid to late June.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
MSI Launches New 9800GT Based Graphics Cards
MSI unveiled two new energy saving graphics cards - N9800GT-MD1G and N9800GT-MD512. These cards use MSI's latest generation of capacitors, Hi-c CAP, and solid state chokes (SSC) for better, more stable overclocking. Also, there is no need for the additional 6-pin power, which increases compatibility with many older SMPS models. Output ports include DVI, D-sub (VGA) and HMDI.
The new N9800GT series employ the latest SSC(Solid State Choke) that decreases the high-frequency buzz noise often caused by traditional choke when running under high electrical currents. The graphics engine runs at 550MHz and memory runs at 1.8GHz equivalent speed. As indicated by the product names, the two versions have 1GB and 512MB of GDDR3 memory.
The new N9800GT series employ the latest SSC(Solid State Choke) that decreases the high-frequency buzz noise often caused by traditional choke when running under high electrical currents. The graphics engine runs at 550MHz and memory runs at 1.8GHz equivalent speed. As indicated by the product names, the two versions have 1GB and 512MB of GDDR3 memory.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Hard Disk
Now 2 TB Hard Disks from Western Digital
WD (Western Digital) expanded its WD AV-GP line of hard drives to include a 2 TB capacity, the industry’s largest available drive to-date. WD said the AV-GP hard drives with WD GreenPower Technology™ provide cooler and quieter operation and lower power consumption by as much as 40 percent. The company said that the new WD AV-GP 2 TB hard drive is perfect for applications such as DVRs (Digital Video Recorders), media centers, media servers, as well as surveillance video recording that demand a higher capacity hard drive and exceptional reliability.
The IntelliPark feature automatically unloads the heads during idle to reduce aerodynamic drag. IntelliPark improves non-operating shock characteristics, providing enhanced robustness in environments where excessive transportation and handling occurs. The drive is tested for compatibility in a broad range of AV products including set-top boxes, DVD recorders and mainstream surveillance systems. Another feature called Preemptive Wear Leveling (PWL) frequently sweeps across the disk to reduce uneven wear on the drive surface common to audio video streaming applications.
Availability and Pricing
The WD AV-GP 2 TB hard drive (model WD20EVDS) is available from select distributors outlet. Maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) is Rs 15,500. More information about WD AV-GP drives may be found on the company's Web site at http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=615.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Transcend Antivirus USB Flash Drive With Trend Micro
Transcend today announced its alliance with Trend Micro, Inc., an Internet content security company, to offer advanced Trend Micro USB Security software preloaded on its newest USB flash drive, the JetFlash V15 in India. To combat a rise in autorun malware that infect removable drives and then spread across networks, a unique software called Trend Micro USB Security was developed specifically to counter malicious content in files transferred to a USB flash drive. The press release said, with its easy-to-use interface and simple one-step activation process, Trend Micro USB Security protects the JetFlash V15 right from the moment it is plugged in. If threats are discovered, users will be alerted and all infected files will be quarantined.
When the JetFlash V15 is plugged into a computer with Internet access, Trend Micro USB Security will automatically download and install the latest security updates directly onto the drive. Transcend's capless JetFlash V15 flash drive features a retractable USB connector with lock-switch, which makes the drive easier to use and protects it from damage during travel.
Pricing and Availability
The 4GB version of the new V15 costs Rs.1,500 and the 8GB Rs. 2,900. They come with a three year warranty.
When the JetFlash V15 is plugged into a computer with Internet access, Trend Micro USB Security will automatically download and install the latest security updates directly onto the drive. Transcend's capless JetFlash V15 flash drive features a retractable USB connector with lock-switch, which makes the drive easier to use and protects it from damage during travel.
Pricing and Availability
The 4GB version of the new V15 costs Rs.1,500 and the 8GB Rs. 2,900. They come with a three year warranty.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Windows 7 for Netbooks Reportedly in the Works
Microsoft will limit sales of some editions of Windows 7 to systems with screens no larger than 10.2 inches running a low-powered single-core processor running no faster than 2GHz, TechARP.com said last week.
TechARP.com, a Malaysian site that has leaked information provided to computer makers by Microsoft in the past, reported that the company will restrict Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Starter for Small Notebook PC and Windows 7 Basic for Small Notebook PC to configurations that strictly define the netbook category.
Although Microsoft has detailed six Windows 7 versions it will ship later this year, including the entry-level Windows 7 Starter, it has said nothing about any edition dubbed as being for a "Small Notebook PC." However, company executives at times have talked about a special Windows 7 SKU for netbooks.
According to TechARP, Microsoft will sell the three editions only to OEMs for use on netbooks that have a 10.2-in. or smaller screen, no more than 1GB of memory, a hard disk drive of 250GB or less (or a solid-state drive no larger than 64GB) and a single-core processor no faster than 2GHz.
The processor must also be a power miser. To qualify for one of the Windows 7 editions, netbooks must use "single core processors that do not exceed 2 GHz frequency, and have a CPU thermal design power that is less than or equal to 15W, not including the graphics and chipset," TechARP said.
The requirements are similar to those Microsoft imposed on computer makers last year when it decided to extend Windows XP Home licensing to netbooks, which were called "ultra-low-cost PCs" (ULCPCs). At the time, Microsoft allowed larger screens -- up to 12.1 inches -- limited graphics to DirectX 9 or less, and didn't specify the power rating of the processor.
Microsoft will ship Windows 7 later this year, but it has not set prices or a launch date.
TechARP.com, a Malaysian site that has leaked information provided to computer makers by Microsoft in the past, reported that the company will restrict Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Starter for Small Notebook PC and Windows 7 Basic for Small Notebook PC to configurations that strictly define the netbook category.
Although Microsoft has detailed six Windows 7 versions it will ship later this year, including the entry-level Windows 7 Starter, it has said nothing about any edition dubbed as being for a "Small Notebook PC." However, company executives at times have talked about a special Windows 7 SKU for netbooks.
According to TechARP, Microsoft will sell the three editions only to OEMs for use on netbooks that have a 10.2-in. or smaller screen, no more than 1GB of memory, a hard disk drive of 250GB or less (or a solid-state drive no larger than 64GB) and a single-core processor no faster than 2GHz.
The processor must also be a power miser. To qualify for one of the Windows 7 editions, netbooks must use "single core processors that do not exceed 2 GHz frequency, and have a CPU thermal design power that is less than or equal to 15W, not including the graphics and chipset," TechARP said.
The requirements are similar to those Microsoft imposed on computer makers last year when it decided to extend Windows XP Home licensing to netbooks, which were called "ultra-low-cost PCs" (ULCPCs). At the time, Microsoft allowed larger screens -- up to 12.1 inches -- limited graphics to DirectX 9 or less, and didn't specify the power rating of the processor.
Microsoft will ship Windows 7 later this year, but it has not set prices or a launch date.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Offering image quality and a robust feature set typically found in pricier prosumer-level D-SLRs, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i is a definite game-changer. For less than $1,000 ($899.99 list with an EF-S 18-to-55mm IS lens), you get a 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor that takes fantastic pictures and a big, high-res VGA screen, along with high-definition video capture, which until now you couldn't get in a sub-$1K D-SLR. A perfect balance of features, performance, and affordability makes The T1i our latest Editors' Choice D-SLR shooter.
Using the same image sensor as the larger and pricier ($1,099, body only) Canon EOS 50D, the T1i measures a smallish 3.8 by 5.1 by 2.4 inches (HWD). The camera feels sturdy; the body weighs 1.6 pounds with its lens, and 1.1 pounds without. The build and button layout is nearly identical to that of the entry-level Rebel XSi. Though the T1i's grip and button/dial layout was thoughtfully designed, I prefer the feel of the competing Nikon D5000 ($729, body only). Its buttons are larger and are mounted at a slight angle, which makes them a bit easier to manipulate. And, overall, the D5000's body has a more comfortable, ergonomic feel to it in my smallish hands.
It's simple to navigate the T1i's menu system given its button setup, which is reminiscent of those on many point-and-shoot cameras. To the right of the screen, the Select button is flanked by Up, Down, Left, and Right buttons. The prosumer 50D uses the same UI, but there's a joystick and a scroll wheel that let you whiz through menus even more quickly. Still, I had no problem maneuvering, and the menus are straightforward, clean, and easy to understand.
The show stealer, though, is the stunning (and sprawling) 3-inch LCD, packing 920,000 pixels (VGA resolution), which results in razor-sharp images, menu text, and icons. The Nikon D5000's smaller 2.7-inch screen has only 230,00 pixels, and the difference is clearly visible when you compare the two. The D5000's screen, however, is mounted on a rotating arm—I wish Canon had added this functionality. But the T1i offers Live View; a dedicated button that turns the LCD screen into a viewfinder.
The speedy T1i can power up and snap off a picture in an average of 0.68 second, while the D5000 took a comparably lengthy 1.37 seconds on average. Once it's up and running, the T1i can shoot 3.4 frames per second at its maximum 15.1MP resolution. The D5000 shoots a little faster, at 4 fps (thought its resolution is only 12.3MP). The higher-endNikon D90 and the Canon 50D offer even more speed, with 4.5 and 6.3 fps, respectively.
I use the Imatest hardware/software suite to gauge image quality objectively in our photo lab. In my testing, I found that the T1i delivers stellar images in good lighting conditions, and there was no visible noise in photos taken in low-light situations. In fact, images looked spectacular and were on a par with those of the more-expensive Canon 50D, since both cameras use the same sensor. At lower ISOs (100, 200, and 400), the T1i captured 2,102, 2,079, and 2,035 lines per picture height, respectively. These numbers are very impressive and go hand in hand with mega-sharp images. To compare, the Nikon D5000, which uses the same sensor as the D90, was close, but not quite as sharp: At ISO 200 and 400, it captured an average of 1,778 and 1,743 lines, respectively. (The D5000 does not shoot at ISO 100). In lower-light situations (ISO 1600 and 3200), the T1i averaged 1,248 and 1,165 lines and was ever-so-slightly edged out by the D5000, which averaged 1,361 and 1,352 lines.
Outside the lab, the T1i was equally impressive. I spent an afternoon shooting my newborn cousin and his parents in the hospital. Given the sensitive eyes of newborns, the pediatric area maintains lighting that's somewhat dimmer than the norm, so most of shots were taken at ISO 1600. I was able to use the fast shutter speeds and face detection to capture split-second close-up expressions. The resulting photos were beautiful, and being able to switch back and forth between still and video modes quickly and easily in a single device was a pleasure. My only gripe was the limited zoom of the included lens. The 18-to-55mm lens provides roughly 3.7X optical zoom, another lens with a larger focal range would have provided the same close-ups without my having to get so close to my subjects. For those who want a lens with a greater zoom range, Canon sells a $799.99 body-only version of the T1i, which, like all Canon D-SLRs, uses the "Canon EF" lens mount compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
High-definition (720p30) video capture looked marvelous, but those aiming to replace a dedicated camcorder should be aware that the T1i's video mode has its quirks. On the one hand, due to the large depth of field you get with a D-SLR, you can put your subject(s) in focus while leaving your foreground and/or background in soft focus. With very little effort, video comes out looking better than your average home movie. But recording video on the T1i isn't as easy as it is on a standalone video camera, since the T1i can't lock onto subjects and track them to keep them in focus. If the subject changes its distance from the camera, the image must be refocused. At least there's a dedicated Auto Focus button (with the D5000, autofocus is disabled in video mode). Unfortunately, though, in Auto Focus mode, the T1i's lens makes a loud noise that is captured in your recordings. Also, though audio captured in video mode sounds fine, the T1i offers no input for a separate microphone, as you might find on a camcorder. To be fair, most video-capable D-SLRs have similar issues.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Samsung Q2
With most digital-media-device manufacturers following Apple onto the touch-screen bandwagon, it's easy to forget how pleasant it can be to use a simple, well-designed device with—gasp!—physical buttons. Granted, the buttons on the Samsung Q2, which comes in 8GB ($99.99 list) and 16GB ($129.99 list) models, aren't plain old buttons, but snazzy backlit and touch-sensitive controls. Like the iPod nano, as well as several Samsung models before it, the Q2 focuses on an intuitive user interface with excellent graphics, and the results are positive.
Available in black or white, the Q2 looks slick, but it won't win any body battles against the nano—its 3.9-by-2.0-by-0.4-inch (HWD) frame is considerably bulkier than the skinny iPod. That said, the Q2 sports a larger screen, measuring 2.4 inches with a 320-by-240-pixel resolution. (The nano's 2-inch screen boasts the same resolution, so it looks a bit sharper.) Below the screen is the now-familiar array of Samsung touch-sensitive controls; when powered up, a central button is flanked by Up, Down, Left, and Right arrows for menu navigation, as well as a backward navigation control and a button that pulls up submenus. The controls are lightning fast and reliable—unlike many touch screens and touch-sensitive buttons out there. I'd even say they're speedier and easier to use than the nano's scroll wheel.
on Yahoo!
The player's right-hand panel houses a Power/Hold/User/Record switch, the latter of which can be set to control various functions like photo zooming. The lower panel features a headphone jack and the connector for PC syncing, the back panel houses a mic for voice recording, and the top panel has a lanyard loop. Included in the box are better-than-average earbuds (if only because the foam covers assure they stay in place), a manual, and a proprietary-to-USB cable to connect the player to your computer. Suspiciously absent is a CD with file-conversion software—typically players with limited video format support like the Samsung P3 include one.
Speaking of file support: For video, the Q2 plays only WMV and MPEG-4 files. Audio support is also limited to MP3, WMA, OGG, and FLAC, but at least the last two will please fans of lossless compression. It's still a bummer not to see AAC support like the P3 offers—especially now that Apple has removed all DRM from its iTunes AAC offerings. The player accepts several photo file types including JPEG, BMP, GIF, and PNG.
The aforementioned earbuds are not nearly as poor as most bundled pairs. They stay in place pretty well, offer some bass response, and don't distort at high volumes. Could your listening experience be improved by swapping them out for Ultimate Ears' $50 MetroFi 170? Absolutely, but if you combine the Samsung earbuds with the user-definable EQ (which also has standard presets like "Rock" and "Classical"), the listening experience on the Q2 isn't bad. As always, Samsung includes some special effects, like "Audio Upscaler" and "Street Mode." My advice is to leave them alone—they're merely boosting some frequencies and cutting others, and rarely do anything useful to the sound. When music is playing, you can choose to view album art or flashy and trippy screensaver animations that, despite being gimmicky, look cool.
The player's display is bright and crisp; provided your WMVs and MPEG-4s are of decent quality, videos look very good. But with only two file types supported and no conversion software included, the Q2 isn't much of a video player. Its stronger support for photos—complete with zooming and rotating options—makes the Q2 a better portable digital photo album.
The Q2 organizes all your content in easy-to-navigate menus on the main screen. Aside from menus for videos, music, and photos, the player organizes your text documents (not text messages, but TXT files) and datacasts (aka podcasts) into separate menus, and has icons for FM radio, Prime Pack (which is another name for games and other extras, like the voice recorder), a file browser, and the Settings menu.
The FM radio works simply and intuitively, with 22 memory presets. I can't recommend using the auto-preset function: Rather than scour the dial for the 22 stations with the best reception, it simply selected the first 22 spots on the dial (starting with 87.5 FM), most of which are pure static. Manual navigation of the dial and selection of presets is easy enough, and recording is a snap too: Just use the pull-down menu button and select "Start Recording" when you're on the station you want. It's possible to vary the quality of the recording (64, 96, or 128 Kbps), and all recorded files end up in the Music menu under (what else?) "Recorded Files." Using the Voice Recorder is similarly easy, and the recorded files end up in the same spot.
Samsung rates the Q2's battery life at 50 hours for audio and 7 hours for video—both of which are pretty impressive. We're currently testing the player's battery, and will post our results here shortly.
There's nothing terribly groundbreaking about the Q2. It simply continues the Samsung tradition of intuitive, good-looking, well-designed players with great graphics. Is it better than the iPod nano? No, but the 8GB nano is $150 (the 16GB is $200), making the Q2 $50 (or $70) less for the same capacity player. My major quibble with the Samsung player is its file support, which is far weaker than its more expensive sibling, the P3 (8GB, $150; 16GB, $250). Still, if the Q2 isn't the top dog in its category, it's a nice bargain for a solid player.
Available in black or white, the Q2 looks slick, but it won't win any body battles against the nano—its 3.9-by-2.0-by-0.4-inch (HWD) frame is considerably bulkier than the skinny iPod. That said, the Q2 sports a larger screen, measuring 2.4 inches with a 320-by-240-pixel resolution. (The nano's 2-inch screen boasts the same resolution, so it looks a bit sharper.) Below the screen is the now-familiar array of Samsung touch-sensitive controls; when powered up, a central button is flanked by Up, Down, Left, and Right arrows for menu navigation, as well as a backward navigation control and a button that pulls up submenus. The controls are lightning fast and reliable—unlike many touch screens and touch-sensitive buttons out there. I'd even say they're speedier and easier to use than the nano's scroll wheel.
on Yahoo!
The player's right-hand panel houses a Power/Hold/User/Record switch, the latter of which can be set to control various functions like photo zooming. The lower panel features a headphone jack and the connector for PC syncing, the back panel houses a mic for voice recording, and the top panel has a lanyard loop. Included in the box are better-than-average earbuds (if only because the foam covers assure they stay in place), a manual, and a proprietary-to-USB cable to connect the player to your computer. Suspiciously absent is a CD with file-conversion software—typically players with limited video format support like the Samsung P3 include one.
Speaking of file support: For video, the Q2 plays only WMV and MPEG-4 files. Audio support is also limited to MP3, WMA, OGG, and FLAC, but at least the last two will please fans of lossless compression. It's still a bummer not to see AAC support like the P3 offers—especially now that Apple has removed all DRM from its iTunes AAC offerings. The player accepts several photo file types including JPEG, BMP, GIF, and PNG.
The aforementioned earbuds are not nearly as poor as most bundled pairs. They stay in place pretty well, offer some bass response, and don't distort at high volumes. Could your listening experience be improved by swapping them out for Ultimate Ears' $50 MetroFi 170? Absolutely, but if you combine the Samsung earbuds with the user-definable EQ (which also has standard presets like "Rock" and "Classical"), the listening experience on the Q2 isn't bad. As always, Samsung includes some special effects, like "Audio Upscaler" and "Street Mode." My advice is to leave them alone—they're merely boosting some frequencies and cutting others, and rarely do anything useful to the sound. When music is playing, you can choose to view album art or flashy and trippy screensaver animations that, despite being gimmicky, look cool.
The player's display is bright and crisp; provided your WMVs and MPEG-4s are of decent quality, videos look very good. But with only two file types supported and no conversion software included, the Q2 isn't much of a video player. Its stronger support for photos—complete with zooming and rotating options—makes the Q2 a better portable digital photo album.
The Q2 organizes all your content in easy-to-navigate menus on the main screen. Aside from menus for videos, music, and photos, the player organizes your text documents (not text messages, but TXT files) and datacasts (aka podcasts) into separate menus, and has icons for FM radio, Prime Pack (which is another name for games and other extras, like the voice recorder), a file browser, and the Settings menu.
The FM radio works simply and intuitively, with 22 memory presets. I can't recommend using the auto-preset function: Rather than scour the dial for the 22 stations with the best reception, it simply selected the first 22 spots on the dial (starting with 87.5 FM), most of which are pure static. Manual navigation of the dial and selection of presets is easy enough, and recording is a snap too: Just use the pull-down menu button and select "Start Recording" when you're on the station you want. It's possible to vary the quality of the recording (64, 96, or 128 Kbps), and all recorded files end up in the Music menu under (what else?) "Recorded Files." Using the Voice Recorder is similarly easy, and the recorded files end up in the same spot.
Samsung rates the Q2's battery life at 50 hours for audio and 7 hours for video—both of which are pretty impressive. We're currently testing the player's battery, and will post our results here shortly.
There's nothing terribly groundbreaking about the Q2. It simply continues the Samsung tradition of intuitive, good-looking, well-designed players with great graphics. Is it better than the iPod nano? No, but the 8GB nano is $150 (the 16GB is $200), making the Q2 $50 (or $70) less for the same capacity player. My major quibble with the Samsung player is its file support, which is far weaker than its more expensive sibling, the P3 (8GB, $150; 16GB, $250). Still, if the Q2 isn't the top dog in its category, it's a nice bargain for a solid player.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Firefox Update Expected in Early June
After months of problems that delayed the last two betas of Firefox 3.5, Mozilla Corp. is now on track to deliver the first release candidate early next month.
If Firefox 3.5 Release Candidate (RC) is declared suitable for final release, Mozilla may still make its self-set deadline -- before the end of the first half of the year.
Mike Beltzner, the director of Firefox, was optimistic in anote published on the site last Thursday. "We're setting an aggressive code freeze target of next Wednesday, May 20 for Firefox 3.5 RC," he wrote.
"Code freeze" is a term Mozilla uses to describe a development stage when it blocks changes in anticipation of handing off the build to internal testers.
"We'll check back against schedule on Tuesday [May 19], but (it) looks like the finish line is very much in sight!" said Beltzner. Assuming Firefox 3.5 RC's code is frozen on Wednesday, Beltzner said that the preview would ship the "first week of June."
Three weeks ago, Mozilla released the fourth, and final, beta of the browser. At the time, the company was still citing a final release before the end of June.
Last year, when Mozilla was making its final push on Firefox 3.0, it used a pair of release candidates, the last of which was issued June 4. It launched the final version two weeks later, on June 17.
If Mozilla sticks to just a single release candidate for Firefox 3.5, it could still ship the completed browser next month. As of Sunday, Mozilla's bug-tracking database showed that developers have 54 "blocking bugs" -- problems that would stymie the final release -- to address.
It's possible, however, that Mozilla will need multiple release candidates to shake out all of Firefox 3.5's bugs, a fact the company acknowledged earlier this month. "While we will aim to make RC1 perfect, previous Firefox releases have needed up to 3 RCs before we're ship-ready," said Mozilla in notes posted on its site from a May 5 meeting.
Firefox 3.5, which at one point early in development was planned to ship in late 2008 or early 2009, has been delayed several times as Mozilla added more test builds to deal with troublesome bugs, and to integrate TraceMonkey, a new JavaScript engine, as well as other new features.
According to U.S.-based Web measurement company Net Applications, Firefox owned 22.5% of the browser market last month.
For its part, Mozilla said last week that Firefox 3.5 Beta 4 is being used by about 650,000 users, a statistic it tracks as Active Daily Users (ADU) and obtains by counting the number of update requests the browser makes each day to the company's servers.
The current test version, Firefox 3.5 Beta 4, can be downloaded for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in 63 different languages from Mozilla's site.
If Firefox 3.5 Release Candidate (RC) is declared suitable for final release, Mozilla may still make its self-set deadline -- before the end of the first half of the year.
Mike Beltzner, the director of Firefox, was optimistic in anote published on the site last Thursday. "We're setting an aggressive code freeze target of next Wednesday, May 20 for Firefox 3.5 RC," he wrote.
"Code freeze" is a term Mozilla uses to describe a development stage when it blocks changes in anticipation of handing off the build to internal testers.
"We'll check back against schedule on Tuesday [May 19], but (it) looks like the finish line is very much in sight!" said Beltzner. Assuming Firefox 3.5 RC's code is frozen on Wednesday, Beltzner said that the preview would ship the "first week of June."
Three weeks ago, Mozilla released the fourth, and final, beta of the browser. At the time, the company was still citing a final release before the end of June.
Last year, when Mozilla was making its final push on Firefox 3.0, it used a pair of release candidates, the last of which was issued June 4. It launched the final version two weeks later, on June 17.
If Mozilla sticks to just a single release candidate for Firefox 3.5, it could still ship the completed browser next month. As of Sunday, Mozilla's bug-tracking database showed that developers have 54 "blocking bugs" -- problems that would stymie the final release -- to address.
It's possible, however, that Mozilla will need multiple release candidates to shake out all of Firefox 3.5's bugs, a fact the company acknowledged earlier this month. "While we will aim to make RC1 perfect, previous Firefox releases have needed up to 3 RCs before we're ship-ready," said Mozilla in notes posted on its site from a May 5 meeting.
Firefox 3.5, which at one point early in development was planned to ship in late 2008 or early 2009, has been delayed several times as Mozilla added more test builds to deal with troublesome bugs, and to integrate TraceMonkey, a new JavaScript engine, as well as other new features.
According to U.S.-based Web measurement company Net Applications, Firefox owned 22.5% of the browser market last month.
For its part, Mozilla said last week that Firefox 3.5 Beta 4 is being used by about 650,000 users, a statistic it tracks as Active Daily Users (ADU) and obtains by counting the number of update requests the browser makes each day to the company's servers.
The current test version, Firefox 3.5 Beta 4, can be downloaded for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in 63 different languages from Mozilla's site.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Like other Sony touch-screen cameras, the 10.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 looks gorgeous, takes beautiful photos, and features an intuitive interface. What's more, tightly integrated Wi-Fi and a built-in Web browser let you upload pictures and video directly to photo-sharing services. There's even support for the up-and-coming DLNA protocol, whereby the camera can act as a networked media server that streams photos to other DLNA-enabled devices. Unfortunately, slow data-transfer times and poor battery life detract from the total package. Also, at $499.99 (direct), the DSC-G3 is one of the most expensive point-and-shoot cameras you can buy.
The DSC-G3, which measures about 4 by 2.3 by 0.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.7 ounces, has a build unlike that of any other Sony pocket camera. Its sleek style is similar to that of the Cyber-shot DSC-T500 and T700, with a body of black brushed aluminum and a 3.5-inch widescreen touch-screen LCD on the back. But where the T500 and T700 require you to slide a small panel over the front of the camera to reveal the lens, the G3's entire body slides open to provide access to the lens and the zoom controls. The only other physical controls on the camera are the large shutter release button and small Power, Playback, and WLAN buttons, the last to activate the wireless features.
When the camera is powered on, the lens never extends outside of the G3's chassis, but it still manages a 4X optical zoom, with a focal range of 6.18mm to 24.7mm (35mm equivalent: 35mm to 140mm), with corresponding maximum f-stops at f/3.5 and f/10.
The 3.5-inch LCD screen contains 921,000 pixels. In playback mode photos look extremely sharp, as do text and icons in the menus for the wireless features. Oddly, the menus for the other functions look identical to what I've seen on the lower-resolution screens of the T500 or even the 230K-pixel T70. In those cases, the text and menus don't take advantage of the screen's higher resolution and look pixelated. At least the touch screen is very responsive when you're using camera functions.
This camera's big sell is its robust wireless capability. We really liked last year's Wi-Fi–capable Nikon Coolpix S610c, but the G3 adds more functionality. It lets you easily upload video to YouTube and still images to photo Web sites such as Shutterfly, Picasa, and Photobucket at their full resolution (the S610c downsized images before sending them), then send notification e-mails (with URLs) to friends and family. You can also jump onto any Wi-Fi network, even ones that require you to accept agreement terms through a Web browser (since the G3 has one), which the S610c couldn't handle.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Samsung Launches Three New Touch-Screen Enabled Phones
Samsung has announced the launch of the Samsung Star and Samsung Star 3G full touch screen phones in the Indian market. According to a press release, the Samsung Star comes with multimedia features in a compact body that measures 11.9mm. The phone adopts a 7.63 cm WQVGA full-touch screen and Samsung’s TouchWiz User Interface with Mobile Widgets.
The Samsung Star boasts various multimedia features including a 3.2 mega-pixel camera with smile recognition capability. It supports multi-format playback and DNSe for ease of use and better sound quality. The Samsung Star comes with a Gesture Control feature that allows the user to unlock the Touch screen or run an application by giving a gesture command. The phone also features music recognition using Shazam’s “Find Music” service. To enjoy multimedia content, Samsung Star supports 50MB Internal memory, expandable up to 8GB. Users can enjoy full Internet browsing with an accelerometer sensor for auto-rotation. It supports Google applications like Google Search, Gmail, Google maps; online widgets and photo blogging. For convenience, the phone supports a virtual QWERTY keyboard for messaging and handwriting features. It is priced at Rs.11, 100/-.
The Samsung Star 3G also supports full Internet browsing with an accelerometer sensor for auto-rotation and is 3G enabled. The Star 3G is equipped with a QVGA full-touch screen, the TouchWiz User Interface and “Gesture Control” feature. Mobile widgets can be placed on the screen for one-click access to applications. The Samsung Star 3G comes with a 3.2 mega-pixel camera with Power LED Flash. The handset has 80MB of internal memory, expandable up to 8GB and is priced at Rs.14,499/-.
Samsung also announced the launch of Samsung BEAT DJ in the Indian market. The phone runs Samsung’s DISC User Interface and comes loaded with Bang & Olufsen audio technology. With its BEAT DJ application & DISC UI, users will be able to add preloaded voice samples and sound effects to their favorite songs and record it. With the phones’ full-touch technology and BEAT DJ application, users can also ‘scratch’ the records on the 7.1 cms AMOLED Full Touch display to create their personal music. The phone has 50MB of on-board memory - expandable to 8GB with the micro SD card. The Samsung BEAT DJ is also equipped with built-in real stereo speakers - powered by B&O’s ICEpower amplifier. This 3G enabled phone comes with a 3.0 MP Camera and is priced at Rs 18,990/-.
The Samsung Star boasts various multimedia features including a 3.2 mega-pixel camera with smile recognition capability. It supports multi-format playback and DNSe for ease of use and better sound quality. The Samsung Star comes with a Gesture Control feature that allows the user to unlock the Touch screen or run an application by giving a gesture command. The phone also features music recognition using Shazam’s “Find Music” service. To enjoy multimedia content, Samsung Star supports 50MB Internal memory, expandable up to 8GB. Users can enjoy full Internet browsing with an accelerometer sensor for auto-rotation. It supports Google applications like Google Search, Gmail, Google maps; online widgets and photo blogging. For convenience, the phone supports a virtual QWERTY keyboard for messaging and handwriting features. It is priced at Rs.11, 100/-.
The Samsung Star 3G also supports full Internet browsing with an accelerometer sensor for auto-rotation and is 3G enabled. The Star 3G is equipped with a QVGA full-touch screen, the TouchWiz User Interface and “Gesture Control” feature. Mobile widgets can be placed on the screen for one-click access to applications. The Samsung Star 3G comes with a 3.2 mega-pixel camera with Power LED Flash. The handset has 80MB of internal memory, expandable up to 8GB and is priced at Rs.14,499/-.
Samsung also announced the launch of Samsung BEAT DJ in the Indian market. The phone runs Samsung’s DISC User Interface and comes loaded with Bang & Olufsen audio technology. With its BEAT DJ application & DISC UI, users will be able to add preloaded voice samples and sound effects to their favorite songs and record it. With the phones’ full-touch technology and BEAT DJ application, users can also ‘scratch’ the records on the 7.1 cms AMOLED Full Touch display to create their personal music. The phone has 50MB of on-board memory - expandable to 8GB with the micro SD card. The Samsung BEAT DJ is also equipped with built-in real stereo speakers - powered by B&O’s ICEpower amplifier. This 3G enabled phone comes with a 3.0 MP Camera and is priced at Rs 18,990/-.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Microsoft Windows 7 Release Candidate: An Early Look
The Windows 7 Beta, the next version ofMicrosoft's flagship operating system, was all about finalizing underlying changes to the system architecture. The Release Candidate, which the company will make available on the TechNet website on April 30th and available for public consumption on May 5th, puts some finishing touches on some new features and adds a good deal of polish to the OS. And that polish is apparent from the first moments you begin installing it: The install routine has been refined, with new icons and a few splash screens ("Checking video performance") with a starburst-type effect. Even the Starting Windows and log-on screens gain a cool, patterned background.
The Windows 7 Beta was lauded for its stability. The Release Candidate makes the operating system feel just a touch faster; it's quicker to load and just a bit more responsive. And you'll be happy to hear that it installed in no time, too—as little as 20 minutes in my experience. Compared to the hour it often took to install Windows Vista, this thing flies.
The Windows 7 Beta was lauded for its stability. The Release Candidate makes the operating system feel just a touch faster; it's quicker to load and just a bit more responsive. And you'll be happy to hear that it installed in no time, too—as little as 20 minutes in my experience. Compared to the hour it often took to install Windows Vista, this thing flies.
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