Alexkass: January 2010

Google Tablet on the way?

Following Apple's unveiling of its iPad tablet computer earlier this week, could Google also be planning to launch a rival tablet running its upcoming Chrome operating system? The Chrome OS has until now been aimed at netbooks, but would seem to be the perfect candidate for a simpler tablet device - like the iPad - and could easily build on touch screen foundations used in Google's Android mobile operating system.

TechRadar attended a recent event at Google's London headquarters, where hints were given that this a path the Chrome OS could follow. When asked about any plans for touch, Anders Sandholm - Google's senior product manager of search based in Aarhus, Denmark - struggled to directly answer the question without giving anything away.

According to TechRadar, 'When asked the question, Sandholm looked to a PR helper, chuckled nervously and said "I can't... I mean... right now we are targeting netbooks, that's what we're focused on, but I expect it to work well... we expect it to target everything up to desktop computers [...] Chrome OS will be built for a specific hardware setup."

There are ongoing rumours that HTC will again partner with Google to produce the hardware, after their successful partnership in manufacturing the Nexus One. Earlier this month, HTC confirmed that it had been developing prototypes of tablet computer devices but had stopped the work to focus on its core business of smartphones. However, with all the recent hype surrounding the iPad, now could be a good time to come back into the game.

At the London event, Sandholm did confirm that the first devices running Chrome OS at its launch will be "netbook-based." Late last year, in another interview with TechRadar, Sandholm indicated that Google had not yet made up their mind over any touch-based plans. "I'm sure that something is being discussed [about touch input], but I'm not exactly sure what the outcome is going to be," he revealed. "Touch is definitely a possibly use, but it depends on how devices evolve over time," adding that "we are following this very closely."

www.neowin.org

Firefox for Maemo Goes Final

Mobile phone users that own a Maemo-based handset from Nokia have now yet another reason to rejoice, as the final version of Firefox for their handsets has just emerged on the web. Following a long line of beta and release candidate flavors, now Firefox for Maemo 1.0 is here for them, providing an experience similar in many respects to the one that the desktop iteration of Firefox can deliver.
One of the main feature of the web browser is that it comes around with support for add-ons, something that no other solution offers to users. The add-ons enable any Maemo-based device owner to customize the browser via the over 40 add-ons that are already available for download on Mozilla's website. Among them, we can count popular solutions like AdBlock Plus, URL Fixer, TwitterBar, language translators, or geo guides. The Add-ons Manager allows for an easy installation of such solutions, and Mozilla recommends for the YouTube Enabler add-on be installed.

The features that Firefox for mobile comes with to Maemo-based phones should be already familiar in a way to those who use the browser on their desktop computers:

- Awesome Bar – Go to your favorite sites in just a couple of keystrokes with intelligent and personalized searching
- Weave Sync – Sync your Firefox tabs, history, bookmarks and passwords between your desktop and mobile device for a seamless browsing experience
- Add-ons – Customize your Firefox by adding small pieces of functionality, like games and news readers, that help make the mobile Web browser your own
- Location-Aware Browsing – Get maps and information relevant to your location
- Tabbed browsing – View open tabs as thumbnails to easily identify and select the Web page you’d like to go to next
- Safe Browsing – Get an Instant Web Site ID and easily access and edit security settings
- Available in more than 30 languages and counting

At the same time, the browser also enables developers to create rich applications. Web technologies like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript are available for those devs interested in customizing or modifying the browser. Nokia’s Maemo5 platform is the mobile operating system that currently enjoys Firefox for Mobile 1.0, yet other platforms should also taste it in the near future. Those interested in downloading the browser for their Nokia N900 should head over to firefox.com/m on their devices and will get it in no time.
“Bringing Firefox to mobile devices is the next step toward fulfilling Mozilla’s mission of providing one Web that everyone can access, regardless of device or location. Secure, powerful, and customizable, Firefox is the most modern mobile Web browser available and is optimized for a mobile experience. Key design principles are at the heart of the mobile browsing experience including minimal typing, seamless synchronization with desktop Firefox and the ability to take your Firefox with you, to name a few,” Mozilla's Erica Jostedt notes on the company's website.

www.softpedia.com