Yearly Archives: 2011

369 posts

Dropbox Automater File Uploader

Dropbox Automater combines time-saving task mastery with perhaps our favorite cloud storage solution. The service watches a designated folder for uploads, when a new file is added an action is triggered, everything from converting documents, to resizing an image or tweeting a link. And that’s just scratching the surface.

You don’t have to install DropboxAutomator on your computer. You don’t even need to install Dropbox on your computer, because you can use it via the webinterface. – dropboxautomator.com

Facebook Messenger for Windows released

Facebook has responded to the leak of its Messenger for Windows application by simply releasing an official download, writes Emil Protalinski on ZDNet

“Mere hours after Facebook Messenger for Windows leaked, Facebook has released the official desktop client. Facebook contacted me and said the official Messenger for Windows download link is available from fbcdn_dragon-a.akamaihd.net.

Facebook started testing the Messenger for Windows desktop client with a limited group of users last month. The application, which requires Windows 7, provides access to three main Facebook features: Facebook Chat, the new Ticker feed, and notifications. In addition to Windows 7, Facebook Messenger is also already available for Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry.”

Firefox 10 Developer Tools

Firefox is to feature new tools for web developers. Firefox 10 to be released in early 2012, will add HTML and CSS inspectors designed to help web developers inspect and debug their code. Later releases will add more features, like a 3-D page inspector and a built-in code editor.

Developers can see the HTML and CSS rules applied to any selected page element. This makes it easy to navigate through different page elements while viewing the HTML document structure for the page,” said Mozilla.

Other improvements and new features include a new Full Screen API, for games and video, as well as a better implementation of the IndexedDB specifications.

3D inspector tools are expected to feature in Firefox 12

Google to Launch iPad Competitor

Eric Schmidt, Google’s acting chairman confirmed that his company is currently planning to launch its own tablet device in no later than the next 6 months.

“In the next six months we plan to market a tablet of the highest quality,” Schmidt reportedly said during an interview with an Italian newspaper, Corriere Della Sera.

Dropbox announce new Android app

Dropbox has announced a new Android app which adds a flood of fresh new features such as: bulk uploads, single-tap access to content and speedy offline entry to your favorites folder.

“We’ve just given our Android app an engine upgrade and a new paint job! Since we know you’ve liked sneak peeks in the past, we wanted to let you check out the app before we release it to the world. Here’s the stuff we’ve added:
• Favorites: quick offline access to files
• Bulk upload photos and videos
• Access all file and folder actions with just one tap
• Improved gallery view
• Upload from and export to your phone’s memory
• Rename files and folders
• Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) improvements
• Numerous bug fixes and stability improvements”

www.dropbox.com

Firefox 9 for Android With Tablet Support

Firefox have announced a completely new version of the popular web browser, Firefox for Android, just for tablets. Along with the new look you will also notice minor bug fixes here and there and as an added nice gesture, you should also see a faster start-up time for the app.

Firefox for Android leverages large tablet screen sizes and optimizes popular features for tablets. The Screen integrates Firefox Sync and makes it easy to access your browsing history, open tabs, bookmarks and saved passwords across desktop and mobile devices so you can type less and browse more.

New in this version:
New tablet UI and features
Faster start-up time
Camera input support: developers can integrate camera functionality directly in Web sites
HTML5 form validation

More info: http://blog.mozilla.com/blog/2011/12/20/new-firefox-for-android-experience-optimized-for-tablets/

Control4 releases MyHome app for Android

Home automation provider Control4 has released a version of its MyHome software for phones and tablets

Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, announces their new Control4® MyHome™ application for Android™-based smartphones and tablets. This addition to the popular Control4 MyHome family lets homeowners use the simple yet powerful Control4 interface on the leading mobile device platforms, providing total home control over video, music, lighting, thermostat, security, and more.

“Android’s fresh features and popular marketplace have driven mobile platform’s popularity, and now our customers want the convenience to interact with their Control4 systems from their new Android devices,” said Martin Plaehn, Chief Executive Officer of Control4. “Like our MyHome iPad™ and iPhone™ apps, both popular additions to our lineup, we anticipate the new app for Android will let our dealers put the best Control4 interface in front of our customers. With smartphones and tablets topping most holiday gift lists, we’re expecting more and more consumers to demand home control from these devices…and we are delivering.”

Dealers now have the ultimate flexibility to deliver the best control interface for each customer, whether they want to use smartphones, tablets, Control4 touch screens, remotes, and/or keypads to control functions in their home. Since MyHome provides a familiar Control4 user interface on leading mobile device platforms like Android and iOS, customers will feel productive and in control no matter where or how they interact with their systems.

Dealers can leverage the MyHome licensing model to mix and match Android, iPhone, iPad, or even PC or Mac interfaces into a single Control4 system. For customers adding MyHome capability to their systems, the enabling license for multiple devices at a single location, or site, is $499, while a single device license is $199. Homeowners who already have a MyHome site license can add support for their Android devices for free; they simply have to download the app.

Over 250 Control4 Dealers participated in a private preview for the Control4 MyHome application for Android and provided the following reviews:

“Works amazing! I am so excited that my clients can take advantage of their Android devices.” – Chris Coleman, Perfect Solutions AV

“I will have a lot of happy customers.” – Bryan Ware, CrossLink Integrated Solutions

“Installed flawlessly and works like a charm on mine and my wife’s Nexus S running 2.3.6. Fast and responsive. I am so happy not to have to switch back and forth from [my] remote to [the] app!” – Sanjay Rana, Kays Interiors

“I love this thing so far!” – AJ Brunson, Foothills Systems

The app will be available as a free download on December 14, 2011, on the Android Market or on the Amazon Appstore for Android. The MyHome application for Android supports Android operating systems 2.1 through 3.2.

The app includes a demo mode that allows customers to see the features supported in the application. To try the app in demo mode, download the app from the Android Market and from the Welcome Screen, simply launch the app into Demo mode.

For more information on Control4 or to locate a Control4 Dealer in a city near you, please visit www.control4.com.

About Control4
Control4, a leading provider of the operating system for the smart home, delivers intelligent control over consumer electronics products, appliances and networking systems through an easy-to-use and intuitive software interface. Founded in 2003, the company delivers affordable automation of lighting, music, video, thermostat, security, and energy management systems through more than 2,000 custom integrators, retail outlets, and distributors in over 70 countries. With the most intelligent, open and affordable control solution on the market, Control4 is the platform of choice for major consumer electronics companies, residential homes, hotels, businesses and utilities that require an intelligent, open and affordable control solution. For more information visit www.control4.com.

Google updates Google+

Google announced that it is introducing new features to its Google+ social network, including new controls that adjust how posts from a given circle are blended into the overall stream of posts, along with which posts are highlighted for your attention. The Google+ Android app has also been updated.

More info: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/google-few-big-improvements-before-new.html

Firefox 9 Now Available

Firefox 9 is now available to download from the official Firefox website.

The most significant change over Firefox 8 is the addition of type inference to the JavaScript engine, which singlehandedly improves JS execution speed by 20 to 30%. Without getting into the complexities of this change, type inference basically brings JavaScript one step closer to compiled languages (like C or C++) in terms of speed and optimization.

Full Release Notes: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/9.0/releasenotes/

Huawei Mercury Announced on Cricket

Long Anticipated Android™ Smartphone Features 4-inch Screen and 1.4GHz Processor

Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP) today announced the exclusive United States availability of the Huawei Mercury, Cricket’s fastest and most powerful smartphone, yet. This highly anticipated device is available now for $249.99 (MSRP) at Cricket branded retail stores, dealers and at www.mycricket.com.

“We are extremely pleased to be the first carrier in the United States to bring this high quality smartphone to customers and we’re excited that we are able to offer this compelling device at a very affordable price,” said Matt Stoiber, senior vice president, devices for Cricket. “In addition to its big screen and powerful processor, the Huawei Mercury is packed with many great features including a VGA front facing camera and 8MP rear camera and camcorder with LED flash. Users can also enrich their wireless experience by tethering the powerful Mercury to their tablet and other devices through Cricket’s new tethering service plan over Cricket’s high-speed 3G network.”

“Huawei’s device strategy has always been to ensure that carriers can continue to grow the population of smartphone connected consumers. We’ve been able to establish ourselves as a player in this market by providing affordable smartphones, and we’re building on that foundation with devices for the high-tier market now,” said Jiangao Cui, President of Huawei Device USA. “This particular device, the Huawei Mercury, is an opportunity for us to offer a quality high-end device to the U.S. market that can deliver rich multi-media content including music, video and gaming applications seamlessly.”

Huawei Mercury Features

1.4Ghz Processor
4″ FWVGA Touchscreen
Email application for both consumer and business email
8.0 MP AF HD rear camera/camcorder
VGA Front Camera
2GB Internal Memory
Real Web Browsing at 3G speeds
Wi-Fi Capable
Stereo Bluetooth
Mobile Hotspot (i.e. Tethering); supports up to 5 devices
Support for Google Mobile™ Services – Gmail™, Google Maps™ with 3D maps and free turn-by-turn navigation, Google Earth™, Movie Studio, YouTube, access to more than 300,000 apps, millions of eBooks, thousands of movies to rent from Android Market
The Huawei Mercury joins Cricket’s growing smartphone lineup and is available on Cricket’s $55 per month smartphone service plan that includes unlimited talk and long distance, caller ID, voicemail, call waiting, 3-way calling, call forwarding, unlimited text, picture and video messaging, 3G mobile data and email.
Additional Cricket Services Supported

Cricket Storefront Client — The Cricket Storefront is Cricket’s own application storefront which is preloaded from which users can purchase ringtones, graphics, ringback tones, games and applications. A user must have Flex Bucket funds available in order to make purchases from Cricket’s Storefront.

Cricket Mobile Web — Access the Internet from the phone, anywhere Cricket data coverage is available.

My Account — My Account provides Cricket customers with online access to billing and account information. Once customers are registered and logged into My Account they have the ability to add a line of service, upgrade their phone, change their plan, add new plan features, change billing and communication preferences, view text message purchases and check the status of an online order.

My Backup — The My Backup application will back up the users contact list, perform regular updates and download contacts.

For more information about Cricket’s dynamic device lineup, please visit www.mycricket.com. To follow Cricket’s latest news and updates online, go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/cricketwireless and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cricketnation.

PocketCloud Explore Announced for Android

PocketCloud Explore Debuts as First Multi-Device Content Search App, Now Available in the Android Market – Search laptops, PCs and your mobile devices all from one app

Wyse Technology, is changing the way people search, view, and organize their digital lives while on the go with the launch of the Wyse PocketCloud Explore mobile cloud app. The app also pioneers multi-device search, allowing users to easily access files anywhere on their device or remote computers.

Connecting Android devices to content on computers, Wyse PocketCloud Explore enables users to view and share that content from mobile devices. For example, if a user wanted to find the folder of photos from a combined business and vacation trip but could not remember whether it was on their home computer, work computer or office server, they could search all the devices at once and open it on their Android phone.

“At its core, Wyse PocketCloud has always been about making computing on mobile devices easy, intuitive and secure, and Wyse PocketCloud Explore is a perfect example of our dedication to this philosophy.” says Daniel Barreto, general manager of the mobile cloud business unit at Wyse. “With Explore we are providing a way for people to finally search their entire digital lives from absolutely anywhere.”

The Wyse PocketCloud Explore app provides the convenience of remote file storage and access without the extra cost or security risk of placing files in third-party storage clouds. Where cloud storage companies charge hundreds of dollars to store files, Wyse PocketCloud Explore allows unlimited access to the files already on users’ devices. This allows users to remain in control of their own content and still have anytime, anywhere access to their digital lives. In short, it no longer matters which device a file originated from or where you saved it, with Wyse PocketCloud Explore you’ll be able to find it, organize it, and share it and quickly and easily.

Wyse PocketCloud Explore features include:

• Search and browse all files and folders on your computers and Android devices
• Unlimited copying and moving of video, image, and audio files between Mac or Windows computers and Android devices
• Open remote files in the app viewer or edit in your choice of Android apps
• Create and delete folders and rename or delete documents
• Open a remote computer file from Android email client and send as attachment

Wyse PocketCloud Explore allows users to finally achieve a sense digital harmony with the efficiency of multi-device search, the power of full mobile computing, the beauty of a native Android interface, and the security of retaining control of digital content. Wyse has not only pioneered multi-device mobile search, they have created true digital Zen.

Wyse PocketCloud Explore for Android is available now for $4.99 and can be downloaded here: http://market.android.com/details?id=com.wyse.filebrowserfull

Facebook rolls out Timeline feature worldwide

Facebook’s Timeline feature is now out of beta and available to all users worldwide. Originally announced during the f8 conference back in September, it wraps up all the information you’ve posted, friendships you’ve made and embarrassing photos you were tagged in, in a neat, date organized package.

Currently timelines are visible on the main site, via the recently updated Android client and the mobile version of the site. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.facebook.katana

Features:
Navigate anywhere, fast: Get to your groups, apps, pages, and settings with a single press
Search and you will discover: Look through friends, subscribers, apps, and pages
See your friends tags on pictures and zoom: New photo viewing experience
Faster notifications: Get alerted in real time with new push notifications
Games & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the go
Access to mobile timeline (If you already have a timeline)
Access to friend lists and subscriptions

Facebook Timelines: How to Get Started : http://www.pcworld.com/article/246295/facebook_timelines_how_to_get_started.html#tk.rss_news