Mozilla looking to redesign browser bookmarking with Dropzilla

Mozilla could be looking to reinvent bookmarking in Firefox as part of an ongoing effort to improve Firefox’s browsing experience. Mozilla’s Brian Groudan recently conducted a nine week research project at the request of the Firefox for Android team that questioned whether traditional bookmarks are really the best method to support revisits.  

Groudan selected 10 people to participate in his study. He sent each person a diary and asked them to keep track of various metrics over the span of three days. On the first day, he wanted users to focus on saving content. Day two was centered around revisiting content and day three dealt with bookmark deprivation.

After a follow-up interview with each participant at Mozilla headquarters, Groudan combed over the data, pulled important quotes from each person and arranged them into categories. From here he further studied the data before meeting with Mozilla’s UX design team to brainstorm several design concepts.

One of the concepts that emerged is called Dropzilla. It allows a user to drag and drop a favicon into a save for later space. This visualization allows people to tackle two tasks at once: saving bookmarks and organizing bookmarks. Think of it as a Pinterest of websites you want to revisit at a later date.

Groudan concludes his blog post by pointing out that Mozilla is uniquely positioned to deliver a save function similar to this. He never came out and said it would actually happen, however. Based on positive reader reaction, Mozilla could definitely be on to something worth looking into further.


Source : techspot[dot]com

EA posts $381 million loss, blames MoH for "soft" holiday outlook

EA has posted a loss of $381 million on revenue of $711 million for its fiscal second quarter ending in September, down from a $340 million loss on revenue of $715 million in the year-ago period. Despite those seemingly grim figures, the company's performance exceeded analysts' expectations.

That doesn't seem to be the case for the third quarter, however, as the publisher believes it will post a profit of $0.50 to $0.60 per share on revenue of $1.25 billion to $1.35 billion, which falls short of the profit of $0.71 per share on $1.38 billion in sales that analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected.

In an investor's call, the company acknowledged that its third quarter "appears soft," and this is largely blamed on the weak critical reception of its latest modern military shooter, Medal of Honor: Warfighter, which currently has a Metacritic score of 51 to 56 depending on the platform.

EA also cited the recent cancellation of NBA Live 13, which was supposed to launch on Xbox Live Arcade as a downloadable product for $20 but was reportedly shelved for not being up to par with the quality of the company's other sports franchises.

Said sports titles were the primary reason EA topped second-quarter expectations, with FIFA 13 and Madden NFL 13 being the western world's two top-selling games in September. The former logged 7.4 million sales during its first four weeks of availability, marking EA's all-time biggest sports launch, while the latter has seen a 30% year-over-year increase in total online game sessions and has sold 9% more copies than its predecessor in the same period (specific numbers weren't provided). Other highlights and metrics include:

  • EA was the #1 publisher in the Western World in calendar year 2012 to date, with five of the top seven titles.
  • Need for Speed: Most Wanted launches this week with great reviews. IGN and Game Informer awarded Need for Speed a 9 out of 10.
  • FIFA digital net revenue generated over $115 million in the first half of fiscal 13, including FIFA Online 2 and FIFA World Class Soccer that together contributed over $50 million.
  • Battlefield 3 Premium service has sold over 2 million subscriptions to date, up from 1.3 million in late July.
  • The Simpsons: Tapped Out has been a top grossing iOS game for the past four weeks, was the #1 application in 54 countries, including the US, UK and Germany, and recently logged a record-high of 2.8 million daily active users.
  • EA's games and services for mobile have generated a 60% year-over-year increase in digital net revenue.
  • Catalog continues to outperform with Battlefield 3 and FIFA 12 together selling through nearly 4 million units in the first half of the fiscal year.
  • Trailing twelve-month non-GAAP digital net revenue was a record $1.44 billion.
  • Trailing twelve-month operating cash flow was $490 million, a $183 million improvement from the prior quarter.
  • EA repurchased $108 million of shares in the second fiscal quarter pursuant to a $500 million Share Repurchase Program announced on July 31, 2012.
  • Origin has registered over 30 million users, including 13 million mobile users, and has signed agreements with 71 independent developers.

Source : techspot[dot]com

Windows Phone 7.8 update rumored for weeks after WP8

Windows Phone 7.8 update rumored for weeks after WP8

The home screen is about all that changes with 7.8

While Windows Phone 8 early adopters eagerly await for the first handsets to arrive in the next few days, current Windows Phone users may have to hold out a bit longer for their OS update.

Chinese tech blog WPDang cited unspecified sources that claim that Windows Phone 7.8 will make its debut pre-installed on a new line of low-end WP7 handsets four to six weeks after the Windows Phone 8 launch.

Only after the new handsets hit the market will carriers start pushing the 7.8 update to subscribers.

Microsoft may not be looking for any news to distract from the new Windows Phone 8 smartphones, so it is difficult to be skeptical about rumors of a delayed 7.8 launch.

Windows Phone 8 stealing the spotlight

While the Windows Phone 7.8 update will miss out on most of the new features for Windows Phone 8, it will bring Wi-Fi tethering to legacy smartphones.

Also look for WP7.8 to include an updated home screen with live tiles that take advantage of the entire screen space.

A Nokia document hinted that the camera software on its WP7 smartphones will also see an upgrade, though other OEMs have not made similar announcements.

WP7 users will still miss out on new Windows Phone 8 features, like true multi-tasking, NFC support, over-the-air updates, multi-core processor support and IE 10.

The HTC 8X will be the first Windows Phone 8 handset on the market, arriving Nov. 2, and followed by the Nokia Lumia 920, Lumia 820 and Samsung Galaxy Ativ S.

In the mean time, WP7 users will just have to wait until the Windows Phone 8 furor calms down enough for Microsoft to give 7.8 another look.


Source : techradar[dot]com

How to install Windows 8 on a Mac

windows 8 on a mac

If you’re a Mac owner curious to give Windows 8 a whirl but can't afford a new PC, follow our guide to find out just how easy it is to install Windows 8 on a Mac.

Even if you’re a hardcore Apple aficionado, it’s hard not to be a little curious about what’s new in Windows 8. In fact, earlier in June, we asked whether a Mac could be the best Windows 8 laptop. Whether you’d like to check out all the possibilities of the new integrated apps, or you just want to poke around in the radically redesigned interface, it’s easy to install Windows 8 on a Mac and take it for a test run. And the best part? Thanks to how easy it is to dual-boot, there’s no need to commit to Windows 8 at all. You’ll be able to flip back to your regular Mac OS at any time.

We’ve talked about what features we love in Windows 8, as well as all the annoying Windows 8 quirks, but the best way to see if Windows 8 is right for you is to try it for yourself. Here’s how…

Dual-Booting: Operating System vs. Computer

First, before we get into the nitty-gritty details, it’s important to understand the difference between an operating system (like OS X Mountain Lion, or Windows 8) and a computer itself. Many users don’t realize that it’s possible to have multiple operating systems running on the same computer. But it’s easy to understand if you think of it this way: Your computer is like a physical building, while the operating system is like a business running out of that building. Just like a single building can hold multiple businesses, a single computer can run multiple operating systems — you just need to switch between them. Having two operating systems on the same computer is called dual-booting, because you can boot up either OS whenever you turn on the computer. 

How to get Boot Camp Assistant

It’s remarkably easy to install Windows 8 on a Mac using a program called Boot Camp, which Apple provides for free. All you need is an Intel-based Mac computer running Mac OS X 10.6 or later. If you need to check if your computer is Intel-based, simply select “About this Mac” from the Apple menu and make sure your processor is made by Intel. 

If your operating system is up to date, Boot Camp Assistant should already be installed. Just look under the “Utilities” folder under “Applications.” If you can’t find it, select the Apple menu, and then choose “Software Update” to update your operating system to the newest version.

Installing Windows 8 from scratch using Boot Camp

 It’s a snap. Just follow the steps below:

 1. Make sure your machine meets the Windows 8 system requirements.

While most of these specs shouldn’t pose a problem for newer computers, the hard disk space requirement of a minimum of 16GB (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit) may pose a challenge if you’re already running out of space. Keep in mind that since you’ll be dual-booting, you’ll probably need a little extra room on your hard drive.

 2. Buy a copy of Windows 8.

This step might be a little harder — at least for your budget. While Microsoft is offering upgrades to previous versions of Windows for only $39.99 through the end of January 2013, a brand new retail version of Windows 8 is rumored to run you $199. However, Newegg.com currently has Windows 8 Pro on sale for $139, and Windows 8 Enterprise for $99. Unsure which version is right for you? Windows 8 Pro boasts benefits such as data encryption and remote desktop abilities; but for most casual users, Enterprise should do the trick just fine. Be forewarned, however: retail versions of Windows 8 are not available as digital downloads, so if you have a computer without a DVD drive — such as a Mac Mini, Macbook Air, or newer Macbook Pro — you’ll need to connect an external drive to perform the install. 

3. Use Boot Camp to create a new hard drive partition.

If this step throws you for a loop, you can always consult Apple’s official guide. Remember our business-in-a-building analogy from earlier? Creating a hard drive partition is like clearing enough floor space in the building for another business to set up shop. In other words, you’re just setting aside room for the new operating system.

Once you’ve started up Boot Camp, simply select the size of the partition you’d like to make. We recommend around 30GB for Windows 8, but remember that you’ll need at bare minimum of 16GB (for 32-bit) or 20GB (for 64-bit). Boot Camp will create the partition automatically without erasing any of your existing data.

4. Install Windows 8 using Boot Camp.

Again within Boot Camp, select the option “Start Windows Installer,” and then insert your Windows 8 disc. The rest of the installation wizard should flow fairly smoothly. There’s only one caveat to watch out for: When asked where to install Windows 8, make sure you don’t choose the partition where you currently have your Mac OS X installed. Doing so would erase all your existing data. The correct partition for installation will be labeled “BOOTCAMP” in all caps.

5. Flip between Mac OS X and Windows 8 to your heart’s content.

After installation, your computer will automatically restart into Windows 8, where you can customize your shiny new operating system. From now on, whenever you want to switch into the opposite operating system, simply restart your computer and hold down the Option key while it’s booting up. Experiment and enjoy!


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

BlackBerry 10 phones being tested by carriers as Pentagon says it will keep using RIM handsets

Research In Motion boss Thorsten Heins has announced that devices running the firm's next-generation OS, BlackBerry 10, are now being tested by carriers around the world, keeping it on course for release early next year. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has said it will continue to use BlackBerry devices in its work.

It’s encouraging. It’s a step in the right direction. It might mean Research In Motion (RIM) really will fulfill its promise of a first-quarter 2013 launch of its next-generation BlackBerry 10 OS and handsets.

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins announced in a statement on Wednesday that handsets running the new OS were now being tested by more than 50 carriers worldwide.

Heins said reaching the testing phase meant the company had “passed a critical milestone” in the development of its new mobile computing platform.

“The hard work will not stop here as we build towards launch,” Heins said in the statement, adding, “Our developer teams are continuing to generate momentum to bring a wealth of applications to BlackBerry 10, our enterprise teams have started to present BlackBerry 10 devices and services to our business customers, and our engineers are fully mobilized to ensure that BlackBerry 10 launches flawlessly in the first quarter of 2013.”

In an interview with the BBC last week, Heins urged consumers not to underestimate “the dynamic [BlackBerry 10] is going to create in the market.”

In other news involving the mobile company, the Pentagon made clear this week that it would carry on supporting “large numbers” of BlackBerry handsets despite going ahead with plans to allow the US military to use other devices such as the iPhone.

“The Defense Information Systems Agency is managing an enterprise email capability that continues to support large numbers of RIM devices,” a spokesman told Reuters this week. A number of government agencies and businesses have said in the last year they would be issuing staff with iOS or Android devices, ending long-standing contracts with BlackBerry. While the Pentagon also appears to be relaxing its association with RIM, things are so serious at the Canadian company that the defense agency’s announcement that it’s not switching entirely to rival devices will actually be perceived as good news by many.

The BlackBerry was once the phone of choice for many agencies and firms thanks largely to its strong security features. However, security on rival handsets such as Apple’s iPhone and a number of Android-powered devices has improved over time, offering an alternative to the BlackBerry.

The launch of RIM’s next-generation OS and handsets is its make-or-break moment. Perhaps the Canadian mobile maker – once the country’s most valuable company – can still turn things around, remain a viable player in the mobile game and consequently help to keep competitors on their toes.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Microsoft enlists the Principality Of Liechtenstein to promote Halo 4

In an effort to promote the imminent release of Halo 4, Microsoft has transformed large swaths of the Principality Of Liechtenstein into setting straight out of the company's most iconic franchise.

If you’re not immediately familiar with the Principality Of Liechtenstein, don’t fret: Unless you’ve got a thing for the nuances of European history or a fetish for tiny, land-locked countries, there’s very little to note about the modern Liechtenstein. Then again, if you’re a fan of Microsoft’s Halo franchise, you may suddenly be finding yourself tempted to book a sight-seeing trip to the miniscule nation.

Why? Because Microsoft recently transformed a number of Liechtenstein’s most iconic landmarks into gaudy promotional pieces for Halo 4.

According to an official announcement issued by Microsoft this morning, on October 29 the company effectively rented huge sections of Liechtenstein (including Gutenberg Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and a working mine) to create something akin to a live-action roleplaying recreation of the Halo gaming series. Actors led small groups of dedicated Halo fans (and media) through various warzones Microsoft had set up in and around Liechtenstein’s landmarks. These tours reportedly lasted for two-plus hours and while none of the visiting fans were given a chance to gun down hostile aliens, the adventures did involve “decoding a series of cryptic clues to help save mankind from extinction by fighting off the threat of an attack.”

And why did Microsoft spend what must have been a massive amount of cash to occupy a small European nation for a day? Spectacle. Pure spectacle.

Halo is a $3 billion blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers,” said Microsoft’s European vice president of interactive entertainment Chris Lewis. “From the world’s first-ever red-carpet premieres for a video game to sending a man strapped to a jet pack 50 feet above London’s iconic skyline, Halo launches have continually broken the mold, and we are back with a colossal bang for Halo 4, transforming a country on the biggest scale imaginable.”

Say what you will about this promotional stunt, but Lewis does have a very valid point: Transforming a country, even one like Liechtenstein which has a mere 36,000 citizens, does set the bar pretty high for any future promotional efforts. We could possibly see Activision doing something on this scale for a Call Of Duty sequel, but beyond that it’s hard to imagine any other company topping this. Of course, that also makes it rather difficult for Microsoft’s PR team to come up with some imaginative new stunt that might eclipse this effort whenever the company gets around to releasing the inevitable Halo 5, but they’ll spectacularly detonate that bridge when they get to it.

Whether Microsoft’s willingness to rain down precious tourism dollars on the people of Liechtenstein (they’re called “Liechtensteiner” and “Liechtensteinerin,” depending on whether they’re male or female, respectively) has convinced you to pick up a copy of Halo 4 on November 6 is entirely up to you, but before you earmark the necessary $60 you should know that our review of Halo 4 will appear at 12:01AM PST tonight. I’m not writing it so I couldn’t offer any spoilers even if I wanted to, but I have to assume that, if nothing else, our official look at the game will provide far more solid, useful information than might be garnered from watching a rented Master Chief strip the dignity from an eight-century-old castle simply by his mere presence.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

LG Nexus 4 versus Samsung Galaxy S3: Which one is the right one for you?

The new LG Nexus 4 has arrived, and with it comes a question about whether or not the new Nexus upstages the previous flagship device that is the Samsung Galaxy S3.

While both devices have some similarities, there are some pretty key differences here as well. Let’s take a quick look at specs, dimensions and the software running inside to get a better idea of how the two Android phones really compare next to each other.

Weight and Dimensions

Both devices are large-screen phones that still have a fairly sleek and sexy overall design. The Nexus 4 probably has a design that is going to appeal to those looking for more eye candy though.

As for actual size, the Galaxy S3 is thinner at .34-inches, versus the Nexus 4′s .36-inch thickness. Weight wise, the Galaxy S3 is also just 133g, while the Nexus 4 is a bit heavier at 139 grams. Is this a HUGE difference? For most of us, probably not.

Display

Pretty close here. The 4.7-inch Nexus 4 has a 1280 x 768 display with a ppi of 318. In contrast, with the Galaxy S3 you get a 4.8-inch 306ppi device with a resolution of 1280 x 720.

Processor and RAM

With the Nexus 4 you have a Quad-Core Qualcomm S4 running at 1.5GHz with 2GB of RAM.

As for the S3? It depends. In the North American market you get a Qualcom S4 dual-core at 1.5GHz with 2GB of RAM. As for the international market, you get a quad-core Exynos at 1.4GHz with just 1GB of RAM.

While the Nexus 4 might be a little faster here, it’s really hard to say for sure considering the major differences between the international and North American Galaxy S3.

Storage

Honestly, the Samsung Galaxy S3 really wins here. You have 16/32/64GB choices and can expand the memory even further with an SD slot. As for the Nexus 4? No SD slot and only 8 and 16GB storage sizes.

Battery

Actually, the batteries in both devices are 2100 mAh. That being said, the Nexus 4 doesn’t have LTE so it might actually perform better. Probably too early to call for sure.

Wireless

Unfortunately, the LG Nexus 4 just has HSPA+ 42 and no 4G LTE. This might not matter to you if you are in a region that doesn’t have 4G LTE, though. In many ways HSPA+ 21 and 42 are more widespread than LTE anyhow.

This is probably where preferences are really going to kick in hard. If you absolutely want LTE… the Samsung Galaxy S3 wins here.

Cameras

The Nexus 4 gives us an 8MP rear cam and 1.3MP front cam. The Galaxy S3 has an 8MP rear cam and a 1.9MP front cam. At least on paper, these two devices are pretty on par in this category.

Operating System

While both devices are running Android, many markets have yet to even get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean delivered to the Samsung Galaxy S3 yet– let alone the new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update. While there isn’t that major for some users, it is still another factor to consider. If you want the latest version of Android, the Nexus 4 has it and the Galaxy S3 still doesn’t. Also worth noting, the Galaxy S3 has the TouchWiz interface, while you get a vanilla Android experience with Nexus devices.

So Which Wins?

Honestly, there is no clear winner here. If you want a solid device that is fast and has the latest version of Android but don’t care about LTE, you might certainly want an LG Nexus 4.

If you want more storage space and 4G LTE (in select markets) then you might want to consider the Samsung Galaxy S3. What is great about Android devices is that there is a wide variety out there, which makes it easy to find something tailored directly to what you are looking for. Which do you prefer, the Galaxy S3 or the new LG Nexus 4?



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

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