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Latest Video: Bleeding Edge TV 322: Motorola DROID Reviewx

In this video we give you a preview and walkthrough of the new Motorola DROID smartphone from Verizon Wireless. We go over Android 2.0, Google Maps Navigation, the QWERTY keyboard, and more.
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Google Chrome 4.0 Includes Bookmark Sync

Posted by Dan Hughes Categories: Google, Internet, Software, Videos

announced Monday that its Chrome browser’s 4th version has gone Beta.  Most important feature in my eyes: Bookmark syncing.

Back when I was an Firefox fanboy, Delicious’ method of syncing bookmarks was magic to me, and was the epitome of the internet experience.  When Chrome was released, its speed sang to me, and I willingly sacrificed my bookmark sync to Chrome’s seductive quickload times.  Now, Google makes everything magical again as Google announced Monday that its Chrome browser’s 4th version has gone Beta, including with it Bookmark Sync.

According to the announcement, XMPP is used to keep your browser in touch with your Google Account, which will keep track and sync down your bookmarks.

In a side note: Google also claims to have increased performance by a brain-spanking 30%!

Read More | Google Chrome Blog

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Zune.net now streams entire Zune music catalog in the browser (even on Macs!)

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Music, Software

One of the main gripes we’ve had with Microsoft as it pertains to the platform is that they have stubbornly decided to keep it to a PC-only experience, leaving those of us who live in out in the cold. Well, starting today, that changes. Kind of.

You see, the Zune Marketplace is now a part of Zune.net. Aside from having the largest audio and video podcast streaming directory, Zune now allows you to log in and listen to music from the Marketplace in any browser that supports 3. Technically, Microsoft says that this experience is officially supported in Internet Explorer and Firefox, but we will have to give it a shot in Safari. Anyhow, the caveat here is that you can log in as a Zune Pass subscriber and stream music. This doesn’t solve the problem that those on a Mac have where they can’t sync their Zune hardware or download music. Still, though, it’s a step in the right direction, and a nice bonus for Zune Pass subscribers to be able to access and stream music, including Smart DJ playlists, on the fly. This basically turns any computer running IE or Firefox into a terminal for you to log in and crank those Zune tunes, and we like it.

For those wondering, any activities you do with Zune.net stream will also be reflected in your Zune account and Zune Card. How cool is that?


Microsoft SIlverlight 3 now available, takes aim at Flash, HD streaming

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: HDTV, Internet, Microsoft, Software, Video Games

Microsoft Silverlight 3Microsoft 3 is live, and you can go ahead and update your browsers now over at Microsoft’s Silverlight page. Silverlight 3.0.40624.0 weighs in at 4.7MB, and works with Internet Explorer, Firefox 2 and 3, and Safari 3 and 4. Here’s a look at some of the major new features:

  • Media: GPU hardware acceleration, new codec support (H.264, AAC, MPEG-4), raw bitstream Audio/Video API, and improved logging for media analytics
  • Graphics: GPU Acceleration and hardware compositing, perspective 3D, bitmap and pixel API, pixel shader effects, and Deep Zoom improvements
  • Application development: Deep linking, navigation and SEO, improved text quality, multi-touch support, 60+ controls available, and library caching support
  • Data-binding improvements, validation error templates, server data push improvements, binary XML networking support, and multi-tier REST data support

Also, remember that Xbox 360 Instant-on 1080p stuff? That’s all powered by Silverlight 3 as well (yes, Silverlight is coming to your Xbox 360 dashboard.) It’s a solid upgrade, and the installation is pretty much immediate if you are on any sort of respectable broadband connection. Definitely worth a look, and you can bet that Microsoft will be pushing hard for a few big Silverlight exclusives, like they did with the Beijing Olympics.


Real time Collaborative Browsing

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Science

RCBCollege of William and Mary researchers are working on RCB (real-time collaborative browsing) to make things easier for those who want to surf together, such as businesses with customer support or distance online education. The first person installs a Firefox browser extension that can generate a session URL to send to others. When up to 10 others click on it, they are sent to a page that connects to the first browser. Not yet available for the masses, the team is hoping that browser companies will adopt the technology.

Read More | Technology Review

Video: iPhone 3GS Safari vs. Mac Firefox speed test

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Features, Handhelds, Internet, Portable Audio / Video, Software

So, if you are wondering just how fast that really is, we’ve got something you may want to take a look at. In this video, we compare the speed of the iPhone 3GS at pulling up Gear Live in Mobile Safari, to that of an iMac doing the same in the latest version of Firefox. Forget about comparing iPhone 3GS browser speeds to the older iPhone 3G, this really shows off the power inside of the latest Apple smartphone.


Feedback About IE8

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Microsoft

IE logoThere is already lots of feedback on Microsoft comments pages after the launch of IE8, with some it negative, from disappearing images, printing on Web sites and searching issues. One user complained about dragging Facebook applications and photos while others complained about the install. On a positive note, one user said it “felt like Firefox, but hey, it’s functional.” We also found that IE8’s release really hasn’t affected Firefox as their users are eagerly awaiting 3.0.

Read More | Gadgetell

Firefox Shiretoko to Be Postponed?

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Rumors

Firefox logoIt is possible that the next Firefox release, code named Shiretoko, may be a 3.5 instead of 3.1. It is also possible that Beta 3 will not be the last. New features include tab searching via its bar, some minor theme retouches, an “about me” page and the ability to clear more precise history. Firefox’s Mike Beltzner says that the version postponement has not been finalized so we shall see.

Read More | Mozilla Links

HiVision miniNote Linux Laptop

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi, USB

miniNote LaptopThey keep on getting cheaper. Based on a public Chinese low cost case mold,  HiVision’s miniNote Linux Laptop has a MIPS based processor, a SDHC card reader, Firefox browser support, Abiword processor, and Skype ability.  It also has WiFi, 1GB flash storage, Ethernet compatibility, 3 USB ports, and audio in and out. Of course, automatic software updates are included. The kicker is the fact that it will only cost you $98.00. Take that, Nick Negroponte.

Read More | techvideoblog

Google to Launch Chrome, an Open Source Web Browser

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet

Chrome Comic Panel announced today that it is launching its new beta browser, named Chrome. Available in more than 100 countries supposedly tomorrow, so far it is only for those with Microsoft Windows. (The company says it is still working on the Mac and Linux versions.) Google’s official blog almost apologized for their comic that discussed the joys of their new browser, saying that they tend to “launch early and iterate” and that the mailroom was a bit hasty letting it out. Be that as it may, it took us long enough to get used to Firefox, so we think we will let the hardcores try it first.

Read More | MSNBC

Firefox Download World Record Confirmed

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet

Firefox logoThe word is out that Mozilla has officially set a record for the most downloads in a 24 hour period. The official number is 8,002,530 copies of Firefox 3 downloads.

“As the arbiter and recorder of the world’s amazing facts, Guinness World Records is pleased to add Mozilla’s achievement to our archives,” Gareth Deaves, Guinness’ records manager, said.

Microsoft has about 74% of the world market share for browsers while Firefox accounts for about 18%. We realize that this was conceived as a publicity stunt, but now that XP is retired, we expect that number will go up.

Read More | c/net

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