Archive for the ‘Software’ Category

I know I say it a lot, but, “Why Bother?”

Eighteen days after being submitted to Apple’s App Store, the Firefox Home application is now available for free download.

A mobile variation of the Firefox Sync program, Firefox Home is not a competitor or replacement to the iPhone’s native Safari browser. Its primary function is to allow users to access their desktop activity and bookmarks, as well as open up tabs on their iPhones.

In other words, useless.

Why?

Mozilla has released the first beta version of Firefox 4, its updated browser that offers new features like a revised menu layout, more screen space for Web pages, and more HTML 5 HD video support.

Firefox 4 is earning praise for some of its updates, such as its improved security and more HTML 5 functionality–Firefox 4 scored 198 out of 300 points on the HTML 5 test page — but not everyone is pleased. Mozilla is being criticized for borrowing features from competing browsers like Chrome and Opera. Nevertheless, Firefox 4 still manages to put its own stamp on each new feature, and I expect regular Firefox users will be very happy with most of the changes found in Firefox 4.

Again, I ask why?

Tapulous, one of the most commercially successful iPhone app developers since the launch of the App Store two years ago, was just acquired by Disney (DIS) for an undisclosed sum.

Any speculation on why they made this purchase?

Mozilla has announced plans to launch a free iPhone Application that will let you access most of your Firefox browser data on the iPhone.

Called Firefox Home, the native iPhone app gives you access to your Firefox browser history, bookmarks, and Awesome Bar. Home will also sync any currently open tabs from Firefox on your desktop to the iPhone, giving you “on the go” instant access to important Web pages.

It’s not clear when Firefox Home will become available, but Mozilla says it plans to submit the app to Apple in June, at which point Apple will either approve or reject it. Firefox Home is designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and Mozilla has not announced plans for a version for the iPad.

Wait. This app will allow you to access most of your Firefox browser data on the iPhone, but what about the browser itself? No. There will be no browser.

This is simply an app which will allow you to sync your Firefox bookmarks with your iPhone. You will not be able to sync your iPhone bookmarks with your Firefox.

Using an iPhone is like heading down a one-way street, but it appears Firefox is going the wrong way.

How many people will still be using Firefox by the end of the year? Let’s just say, more people will be taking adipex diet pills than will be wasting their time with Firefox.

The next version of the Firefox browser, set for release by the end of the year, will pare down the software’s menus and certain user options while giving Web surfers more control over privacy.

Firefox 4 promises to let users better control relationships with websites by describing more simply what information is gathered by cookies, which are files that store data on website visits.

I stopped using it because I couldn’t navigate to more than four sites before it wigged out on me and brought my system to a crawl. Maybe the update will fix that too?

For those of you needing some relief from jointsupplementreviews.net you may be interested to know that Internet Explorer is being updated again…

Microsoft’s next-generation Internet Explorer 9 browser may not be anywhere close to competition, but you can test drive a “platform preview” of the software that provides a taste of IE9’s capabilities. So what’s the deal with Redmond’s upcoming browser, and how does it differ from IE8 and worthy competitors such as Google’s Chrome, Mozilla’s Firefox, Opera Software’s Opera, and Apple’s Safari? Here’s a quick primer.

They’re still making Internet Explorer? Who knew?

Intuit Inc. on Thursday said strong sales of its tax-preparation software helped lift its fiscal second-quarter profit 34 percent and beat Wall Street’s forecast. The company also raised its forecasts for full-year revenue and profit.

Intuit reported net income of $114 million, or 35 cents per share, for the three months that ended Jan. 31, up from a profit of $85 million, or 26 cents per share, in the period a year earlier.

Seeing that Turbo Tax is selling everywhere you go, it’s no wonder their profits are up.

Attention Blackberry owners, you can now read books on your teeny tiny little screens.

Amazon.com said on Thursday it is launching a new free Kindle application that will give customers access to over 420,000 books on a range of BlackBerry devices.

Called “Kindle for Blackberry”, the free application allows customers using BlackBerry devices on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and other U.S. carriers easy wireless access to Kindle books, most for $9.99 or less.

I’ll stick with my iPhone, thanks.

Python 2.7, expected to be the last major version in the 2.x series of the dynamic language, was released as a second alpha earlier this month by the Python Software Foundation, with the final release set for June.

Two beta version of Python 2.7 and two release candidates are expected in the meantime, said Steve Holden, chairman of the foundation, on Thursday.

I love Python.

Python is one of those scripting languages that you don’t need a heavy dose of lipozene to get through if you’re reading code someone else wrote.

When it comes to laptops, we all need power and convenience in one small package.

Have a laptop or netbook and want to get more out of it? You’re not alone. We’ve experienced the frustration of trying to keep data or bookmarks on a portable synchronized with those of a desktop PC or other laptops. We’ve struggled with diminishing battery life. We’ve needed assistance getting connected at hotspots or staying safe once online. And we’ve wondered how to take full advantage of USB flash drives.

Check out the Yahoo! tech site for 10 free downloads that might make your life much easier.