Gadgets Blog

Firefox fans would be happy to know ( and there are so many Firefox enthusiasts out there) that Mozilla announced the availability of the first beta for version 3.6 of its open source Firefox web browser. If you are a dedicated Internet Explorer user, you will not find the updates too thrilling but Firefox users will get some new upgrades in this version.The release features will provide built-in support for Personas, “skins” for the browser surround of menus (Users can now change their browser’s appearance with a single click) , alerts that will warn users when their plug-ins are out of date or on delivery of new plug-ins and support for the Web Open Font Format (WOFF). Other promises are quicker loading and support for new CSS, DOM and HTML5. You can also expect better JavaScript performance and display Open, native video on full screen. A feature allowing you to drag and drop files from a PC to the browser can be included.

Mozilla warns that being pre-release software, you are likely to run into compatibility problems with some websites and add-ons. If you are an outstanding open source citizen , you can help Mozilla by bringing these bugs to their attention and help them get fixed here.

You can find the full scoop on Firefox 3.6 browser here and for free Download click here.

If you were not a part of the at least 5+ million fans who rushed to make this version of Firefox capture about 2.5% of the global browser market last week, be sure to give this free download a try here.  (Firefox already possesses about 22% of market share thanks to its earlier avatars).  Available in 70 languages, it promises improved speed (boasts of a new Java script engine) and enhanced compatibility with new online video standards (supports HTML 5 audio and video features) even allowing you to watch videos directly on a webpage without plug-ins.  In addition, it has introduced a private browsing mode that lets you wipe out your browsing history including cookies, searches, visited pages and passwords.

You can also expect to find a geolocation technology that customizes your searches according to your location, fancy downloadable fonts and a long awaited “tab in waiting” feature denoted by  a plus sign.  As for Internet Explorer users, you will probably find many features in this Firefox version that are strikingly similar to IE, and frankly I find it advantageous on many occasions to have more than one browser on my system.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• PAC-MAN the movie…No really - Technabob
• Happy 50th Birthday Micro-Chip - Wired
• Mozilla adds privacy mode to Firefox 3.1 - ComputerWorld
• iPhone 2.1 update available - Apple
• Build your own LED light cube - Hack n Mod
• Check out the Scan Toaster - Engadget
• Can’t Touch This: MC Hammer plays with the Microsoft Surface - Gizmodo
  

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Computer Shopping: Coupons for Dell Inspirons
• The New Chevy Volt in Unveiled
• Bluetooth Headset Discount: Headset for $15.99 at Meritline
• Save Files, Cut the Head Off This USB Teddy Bear