Google Chome V6 Comes Out On Its 2nd Birthday

Google Chrome Icon

Image via Wikipedia

Google Chrome is now 2 years old and has already hit version 6. That’s a much faster release cycle then any other browser out there.

Google chrome 6 brings extension sync to the masses, as well as a boat load of security and memory corruption bug fixes.

Personally I think Google Chrome is great but Google release cycle of a new version every 6 weeks means we could easily hit version 15 before IE9.

Google has yet to fix (or deal with) memory issues resulting from flash (high memory usage compared to Firefox/IE), and Java issues (Pogo still doesn’t work…).

Google chrome has a 7% market share so it’s not as popular as Firefox but it is dwarfed still by Internet Explorer.

I’ve personally used Google Chrome for a while but since my laptop only has 1GB memory I cant use a browser that uses that much memory (Safari is like that too), that’s why I use FireFox because it uses by far the least memory.

Apple September 1st Event: New iPod Models, iTunes 10, New Apple TV

The Apple September 1st Apple event came and gone here is what went down;

  • iPod shuffle now has the click wheel back and is smaller
  • iPod nano is now smaller and has the rumored touch screen – now has a clip
  • iPod touch now has HD video and front facing camera for FaceTime
  • iOS 4.1 will fix slow iPhone issues, proximity issues, and add game center
  • iOS 4.2 will bring iPad multitasking – wireless printing
  • New Apple TV is 1/4 the size, is streaming only – now has Netflix
  • iTunes 10 now has ping which is a music social network like LastFM changed interface and logo

Personally you can colour me impressed. The updates are what everyone was expect and what we all wanted really. The shuffle now has the click wheel back, the nano is now smaller so its easier to use, the 4th gen iPod Touch now has HD camera, and Facetime like the iPhone 4 (yay), and the new Apple TV now has Netflix and is now only $99 with streaming only.

Google Adds Priority Email Feature To Gmail

Gmail's logo

Image via Wikipedia

Notice something new in your Gmail inbox this morning? (Hint: top right). Turn the priority feature on in Gmail.

The priority email feature in Gmail filter’s your email into priority, and regular mail. That way you can focus on your important emails without sorting through everything first. This is mostly a feature for heavy email users (like business).

Watch the Priority email video from Google below:

Xbox Live Prices in US/Canada/UK/Mexico Going Up In November 2010

Xbox 360 buttons

Image by A Hermida via Flickr

Xbox live which is an online add-on service for Xbox 360 users will be seeing a price increase this November.

The price hike is on average only 1 or 2 dollars extra per month.

As of Nov 1st 2010 the Xbox live prices will be:

US (USD)

  • $9.99 1 Month
  • $24.99 3 Months
  • $59.99 for 1 year

Canada (CAD)

  • $9.99 1 Month

UK (Pounds)

  • $5.99 1 month

Mexico (Pesos)

  • 599 1 month.

Note: Packages not listed are not effected by the prices changes.

Personally I find the cost for Xbox online gaming is too much. They should have a lite package for just basic online gaming.

Read more at major nelson (source).

Major Backlash Of Digg v4 Hits Reddit

Image representing Reddit as depicted in Crunc...

Image via CrunchBase

The new design of Digg.com is out, and trust me no one is happy.

As soon as the last design was rolled out there was backlashes on Reddit (a major competitor), Twitter, Facebook, etc. Many are calling the new Digg aka Digg v4 “a major failure, a giant RSS reader, voids the purpose of it, digg is now dead…” etc.

One of the major cons is that you may no longer bury a story, so you can’t down vote an article like you can on Reddit. This renders the site useless, unless you like promoted content. Another backlash is that there is a my news section which is like a RSS feed.

I have to agree with the backlash as the new Digg is horrible, I mean the front page of Digg is even full of Reddit links.

I love Reddit, and its easily the winner now. Reddit is reporting higher signups to its site.

Blockbuster Is Walking The Bankrupt Plank – Going Digital

A Blockbuster shop in Coventry, England.

Image via Wikipedia

Once a mammoth, now a deserted movie rental store. Blockbuster is reported based on rumors ready to file chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2010.

If this does happen the rumors also state that Blockbuster will focus on Digital movie rentals and Kiosks which are now the popular form of movie rentals (think Netflix).

Another Nail In Flash Coffin: H.264 To Remain Royalty Free

HTML5 video icon

Image via Wikipedia

A few months ago, there was concerns with HTML5 and the H.642 codec with its licence expiring in 2016.

Well MPEG LA, has said that it H.264 will remain royality free, crushing old fears.

Now you still need to licence H.264, but its your content remain yours. WebM the alternative to H.264 was created in fears of liceing issues.

Still means Mozilla (Firefox) will not support H.264 but rather WebM due to the cost involved. IE9 however will only support H.264.

Apple Music Focused Event September 1st 2010

IPod touch

Image via Wikipedia

The iPod touch is due for its 4th refresh, namely because it’s almost September when it does get refreshed.

Apple has sent out a newsletter saying that there will be a music focused event on September 1st 2010.

My predictions are;

  1. iPod Touch 4th Gen to feature match iPhone4
  2. Apple TV/TV rental change (cheaper?)
  3. Sales figures of iPad/etc

Yahoo Search Is Now Powered By Bing Search In US/Canada

Bing_Brand_Logo,Microsoft

Image via Wikipedia

Yahoo has slowly been walking the plank. Last year when Microsoft wanted to buy Yahoo, and they turned it down it was a bad move.

Now Yahoo is almost worthless. So much so yahoo search results in Canada/US are now actually bing results.

The transition is smooth, so nothing should really change. Hopefully this “increase” in usage in Bing will translate in better Bing results.

Too this date google and duck duck go results are still better. So not real change.

Tell me your thoughts, is it cool, bad, ugly or meh?

Android 2.2 Windows Mobile 7 And iPhone 4 Compared

(19/365) Do I miss my iPhone? One week of Goog...

Image by spieri_sf via Flickr

Pocket now has an early review of Android 2.2 (Nexus One), Windows Mobile 7, and iPhone 4 browser comparisons.

Watch and learn :P .