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.

Sony Corp announced that it is coming out with an e-book reader à la Amazon’s Kindle DX in December just in time for the holiday season. It will have a 7-inch touch screen that would let you  download books and newspapers over AT&T Inc.’s cellular network.

While Kindle has managed to steal Sony’s thunder so far when it comes to e-readers, Sony might just have stumbled upon a winning strategy this time by choosing the EPUB open source format. Kindle displays material only from Amazon’s store, but Sony will embrace an open e-book standard, allowing users to read from stores of their choice, and what’s more the books can even be transferred to cell phones and other comparable gadgets. Wait there’s more! Sony takes it a step further by making provisions for reading local library e-books .

Readers won’t be charged a subscription fee for wireless access said Steve Haber, head of Sony’s U.S. reading division. The Daily Edition of the e-reader will initially have wireless access only to Sony’s e-book store until I guess Sony figures out the complications of connecting to multiple stores for free. The names of downloadable newspapers  will be announced later. In portrait mode, about 30 to 35 lines of text will be visible akin to a printed book.

The sleek, ultra polished appearance that seems to be so in vogue nowadays is almost Apple like in inspiration . Its aluminum encased body comes with a price tag of US$399.

“It’s all about access to content … it’s about expression, holding, touching and using the Sony Reader,” Haber added. “We want it to be a ubiquitous experience, not locked in — open, open, open.”

Think it will make a good Christmas present?

As a society we are now all about efficient time management and multi-tasking. It has led us to demand more from our everyday gadgets and appliances as well. Chumby is a $199.95 customized alarm clock that just does not relax! It works over time as a WiFi-connected personal Internet appliance that gives you access to widgets providing games, news headlines, weather, Internet radio, current stock prices, music, short movies, social-media websites and picture files .

For getting access to these online applications, you register on the Chumby website ,select and download for free the 1000 or so widgets that catch your fancy to your individual Chumby through a WiFi broadband connection .What’s more, it can also be used to monitor incoming e-mail on any POP3 account, track eBay auctions or play an iPod through Chumby’s on-board stereo speakers. A WiFi access point though is a must have to play the widgets.

If you are a fan of open-source, Chumby industries provide a totally open hardware/software setup providing access to everything from the hardware schematics to an open-source Linux-based software client so that users can hack the device and develop new applications for the platform. The cuddly beanbag exterior with soft leather cover surrounds the device’s internal printed circuit boards and 3.5″ touch screen LCD interface. A soft-touch top button hidden underneath the skin activates WiFi connection. It even comes with its own drawstring canvas bag. Never been a fan of cardboard boxes…

So, is $200 worth it? It depends of course on your budget and specific needs. But if you are looking for a great gift to give someone who loves high-tech, who is very difficult to please or who is a teenager on his/her way to becoming a software applications guru, this just might impress!

Source: EE Times

Zii LABS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Creative Technology Ltd. announced the launch of Zii Egg, a handheld stem cell computer that runs on a platform called Plaszma. Of course the fact that Plaszma is open source lets the ever growing community of developers worldwide to get their creative juices churning providing them a new medium to build applications on.
Positioned to take on Apple’s iPod touch, this portable audio video handheld device, can also run on Android and comes with a price tag of $199. Its hardware has no doubt been built to impress with front and rear facing cameras, HD playback, 1080p video output, OpenGL ES support, X-Fi audio processing, 32GB of built-in memory and a full SD slot.

Full features and specifications include:

•  Capacitive 10-point multi-gesture touch display
• 3.5” 320 x 480 true-color display
• X-Fi audio processing
• Up to 32GB Internal Flash Storage
• 32MB NOR Flash (Linux kernel Boot ROM)
• 256MB Mobile DDR RAM
• Supports 720p and 1080p HDTVs via HD cable
• Composite video-out
• Dual cameras for High Definition photos and movie capture
• Forward facing VGA camera
• Rear facing HD camera
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Hardware GPS receiver
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor
• SDHC slot (supports up to 32GB of external SDHC Card)
• USB 2.0 Mini-B (MTP and Charging)
• Universal Docking connector (USB, Audio)
• Headphone socket, built-in speaker and microphone
• Supports Plaszma OS and Zii Optimized Android
• Light weight: 108g