Facebook to enable site-wide HTTPS and name-that-face social authentication

Tomorrow, as part of Data Privacy Day, Facebook will enable the option for site-wide HTTPS. Everything, from sending messages to stalking your friends' profiles will be encrypted, which should come as a great relief if you regularly use Facebook from public, unencrypted Wi-Fi networks. To enable it (tomorrow!), navigate to Account Settings and scroll down to Account security.

Facebook will also step up its policing of suspicious activity by using an exciting new form of CAPTCHA called "social authentication." If Facebook detects something odd with your account -- such as a login from two geographically disparate locations -- you will be asked to identify some of your friends. The idea is that hackers might have worked out your password, but they probably don't know what your friends look like. Unless you're being hacked by one of your friends, of course...

Looking forward, Facebook hopes to enable HTTPS by default, but no exact timeline is given. Incidentally, if you want to browse the entire Web while secured by HTTPS, check out our secure surfing guide.Facebook to enable site-wide HTTPS and name-that-face social authentication originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Use a virtual private server to BitTorrent faster and more efficiently

This week's series of tips is all about downloading files via BitTorrent. We'll highlight ways in which to torrent more efficiently, obtain higher download speeds, and generally make the whole process easier. For more tech tips, check our Tips index.

In almost every case, your download speed on a torrent is dictated by your upload speed. If you manage to download a few chunks, and then upload those at high speed, you will very soon find your pipe very full indeed.

Now, if you're lucky enough to have a juicy upload connection at home (a few megabits), you probably have no problem filling your entire downstream bandwidth. If you're stuck with a weak DSL connection, however, a virtual private server (VPS), or 'seedbox', is what you need.

A VPS [Google search link] can cost as little as a few dollars a month, and for that you get access to 100Mbps both upstream and down. 350 megabyte torrents will complete in just a few seconds, and in general you'll get more bandwidth than you'll ever need (100GB or more). Once your torrents are complete on your VPS, you can download to your home computer at full speed. This also leaves your home's upstream bandwidth free for other uses, like surfing the Web!

Most VPSes run Linux, though, so you will need to learn how to use a console torrent client like rTorrent -- but that's tomorrow's tip!Use a virtual private server to BitTorrent faster and more efficiently originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Daily Crunch: Bounce Edition

Split Strap Quickly Hits Kickstarter Goal, Still Time To Get In On The Fun SmallWorks BrickCase Lets You Brick Your iPhone. In A Good Way. As In LEGOs Watch This Amazing GE Video Kind Of Explain Regenerative Train Braking NZXT?s Bunker Locks Down Your USB Devices So LAN Rogues Won?t Steal Them Universal Donates 200,000 [...]

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How to use names instead of cell addresses in Microsoft Excel

This week's series of tips will be focusing on handy little features for Microsoft Excel and Word. To see the previous tips, check our Tips index.

By default, Excel uses cell references in formulas, which results in formulas that look like D5/20 (Meaning, divide the contents of cell D5 by 20). This is fine as long as your formulas are very simple. If you start pulling in data from multiple cells and using many complex formulas in a single spreadsheet, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember what each cell address means.

That's where named ranges come in handy. As the name implies, these are names you can give ranges of cells -- but a range can also be a single cell! So rather than having a formula read D5/20, you could have it read CostOfLiving/20. "CostOfLiving" is actually a named range consisting of one single cell.

This all sounds quite complex, but once you name your first cell you'll see how simple it is. To do this, simply:

Select the cell you wish to name.
Click the Name Box. This is the text box to the left of the formula bar - it should contain your cell's current address (say, H12).
Type in whatever name you wish to use for this cell (say, "MonthlyExpenses"). It must not contain spaces.
That's it! You can now use this name in all of your formulas instead of the cell's address.
How to use names instead of cell addresses in Microsoft Excel originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Intel finds Sandy Bridge chipset design flaw, shipments stopped and recalls beginning

A problem requiring a "silicon fix" is bad news in the chipset business, and sadly that's what Intel is announcing. Its new Intel 6 Series chipset, Cougar Point, has been found to have a flaw, something to do with the SATA controller. Intel is indicating that the ports can "degrade over time," leading to poor i/o performance down the road. All shipments have been stopped and a fix has been implemented for new deliveries, but it sounds like recalls will be starting soon for those with this ticking time bomb silicon within. It isn't a critical problem right now, though, so if you own a Sandy Bridge Core i5 or Core i7 system keep computing with confidence while looking for a recall notice, but it is bad news for Intel's bottom line: the company is advising a $300 million hit to revenue.

[Thanks, Matt]Continue reading Intel finds Sandy Bridge chipset design flaw, shipments stopped and recalls beginningIntel finds Sandy Bridge chipset design flaw, shipments stopped and recalls beginning originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Help save the earth in Survivosaur -- Time Waster

Everybody knows how the dinosaurs became extinct - you know, the big meteor and everything. But did it really have to happen? How would things have gone had you been there, dressed up as a huge dinosaur with a jet-pack and all sorts of projectiles, ready to save the day? Great question, and that's exactly what Survivosaur strives to answer.

The jet-pack is only the beginning here - you, the dino-protagonist, are tricked out to the max with alternative weapons, an optional shield, extra health and more. You use this massive arsenal to shoot at oncoming meteors and explode them in space, thus preventing the extinction of yourself and your kind. But not everything that comes from space is bad - you get bonuses (those little dollars flying in the screenshots), as well as health packs.

Once you amass enough lucre (say, $10), you can hit SPACE and access the in-game accessory store, where you get all of those fancy power-ups I just mentioned. Gameplay is super-simple - you run (or rather, circle the globe) with the arrow keys, and aim and fire with the mouse. But thanks to the power-up system, this game is surprisingly engaging.Help save the earth in Survivosaur -- Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Of Egyptian Protests and Admiral Adama [Blockquote]

Making the rounds on Reddit this weekend is a apt quote from a famous-yet-fictional science fiction character. As the unrest continues in Egypt, these TV show lines have coincidentally taken on real world applications. The situation remains serious. [Reddit] More »

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Best of Smartphone Experts, 30 Jan 2011

HTC Thunderbolt poised for Feb. 14 at Best Buy Android 3.0 SDK preview: 2D, 3D graphics and dual-core support in Honeycomb! What's new in Android 3.0 Honeycomb Exclusive: CDMA BlackBerry Roadmap 2011 PlayBook and QNX-based BlackBerry Smartphones to run Android Apps too?! Weekly Accessory Roundup - Win an extended battery for your device! Nokia offers Nokia Reader RSS app in Beta Labs Ovi Daily App review: Usablenet optimized web apps Topaz Specs! Exclusive details on Touchstone v2 and much more! Hints of webOS Tablet UI elements - Exclusive USPTO rejected "PalmPad" trademark in October News Corp and Apple holding “The Daily” iPad newspaper launch on Feb. 2nd Verizon iPhone: Existing customers can pre-order starting Feb. 3 at 3am EST, Unlimited data for $30, Wi-Fi personal hotspot for $20 How to Jailbreak Apple TV with with Seas0nPass and install XBMC Windows Phone Marketplace hits 7,000 apps, no end in sight Flory first to bring GTalk to Windows Phone (Video + Guide) Windows Phone 7 - 2 Million Shipped Best of Smartphone Experts, 30 Jan 2011 posted originally by Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

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Microsoft testing new "Be what's next" Metro- and IE9-inspired homepage

It's been a long time coming, but Microsoft is finally testing a new Be what's next homepage. To enable the new look, you need to visit http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/preview/default.aspx.

The layout is strongly reminiscent of Windows Phone 7's Metro UI, with not a single rounded corner to be found. There are also some design elements from Internet Explorer 9, such as the 'cut off' back and forward buttons -- and indeed, a link to the IE9 beta is front and center on the new layout. Most notably, however, the homepage features two completely different panels for both Work and Home solutions. If you click the Work tab on the right, the entire page slides over, with bars and text that reform in what can only be described as elastic beauty.

So far it seems to only be the homepage that has received the Metro treatment, but presumably, if this new layout is well received, the rest of Microsoft's Web properties will receive a similar overhaul.Microsoft testing new "Be what's next" Metro- and IE9-inspired homepage originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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A Stormtrooper Falls [Lego]

I don't know what hellish battlefield took their comrade, nor do I know if it falls into official Star Wars canon. I don't care. Stormtroopers still ache just like any of us! More »

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Google Voice will let you port your current phone number for $20 -- soon

One reason users shy away from Google Voice -- or any alternative calling solution -- is because they can't bring their existing phone number with them. That could all be about to change, however, as several users happened upon an option to port their number to Google Voice. After checking to make sure Google is able to port a given mobile number, a $20 payment via Google Checkout is all that's required.

The option has apparently disappeared overnight, with Google telling our friends at Engadget that number porting is currently being tested with a small group of Google Voice users. No ETA was given for general availability, but Google assures that it's part of their master plan.Google Voice will let you port your current phone number for $20 -- soon originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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iPad Extended Battery SmartCase with Click-Stand

IvySkin has created a case with integrated extended battery and a stand for the iPad.� The SmartCase is made of polycarbonate with a Glass Touch-Thru screen cover for complete protection.� When you don’t need the battery, you can use the plain back piece, or you can leave the battery piece in place.� Use the power [...]

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Remembering the Challenger [Video]

Twenty-five years ago today, the nation watched as the most diverse space crew in history took off into the sky. But after just seventy-three seconds that journey turned into a technological catastrophe like none we had ever seen before. More »

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iPad Extended Battery SmartCase with Click-Stand

IvySkin has created a case with integrated extended battery and a stand for the iPad.� The SmartCase is made of polycarbonate with a Glass Touch-Thru screen cover for complete protection.� When you don’t need the battery, you can use the plain back piece, or you can leave the battery piece in place.� Use the power [...]

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iPad Web App Converts Flash Video On The Fly

Transmedia has introduced the new Glide OS 4.0, a cloud-based operating system that is ad-free, full of great productivity apps and best of all is compatible with the Apple iPad. It has great syncing capabilities and runs right from your iPad’s browser. It operates like an online mobile desktop. With Glide OS you can share [...]

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Intel's mSATA SSD 310 reviewed: a pint-size performer through and through

The forecast for speedy, razor-thin laptops is looking pretty sunny right about now, because it seems Intel's SSD 310 truly does bring the power of a full-sized solid state drive on a tiny little board. Storage Review and The SSD Review thoroughly benchmarked the tiny 80GB mSATA module this week, and found it performs even better than advertised -- easily tearing through 200MB / sec reads and 70 MB / sec writes -- which put it slightly behind Intel's legendary X25-M series but well ahead of the company's X25-V boot drives. While we're still not seeing Sandforce speeds from Intel's tried-and-true controller and 34nm silicon and they might not make Toshiba's Blade run for the hills, we can't wait to test it out in some new Lenovo ThinkPads when they integrate the SSD 310 later this year. Oh, by the way, that big green board up above isn't the drive. It's actually the tiny one on top.Intel's mSATA SSD 310 reviewed: a pint-size performer through and through originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Storage Review, The SSD Review  | Email this | Comments

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Skype Mac Video Group Chat Now a Ripoff at $5 Per Day [Skype]

The best part of the recent Skype beta was its battle royale video chatting. But the beta label is gone—and now the (free) fun is too. Group chat will now cost $4.99 per day, or $8.99 a month. More »

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Average age of iPhone users, 16GB or 32GB?, Jailbreak, AT&T upgrade date ? From the Forums

The TiPb forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if [...]Average age of iPhone users, 16GB or 32GB?, Jailbreak, AT&T upgrade date – From the Forums is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

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Amazon rolling out Netflix-like unlimited video streaming for Prime subscribers?

Rumors of Amazon either purchasing Netflix or launching a competing option have been circling and now one of our readers says he's seeing an unlimited video streaming section to complement the current Amazon VOD options. That's a nice bonus for the $79 / year package that currently adds a few free shipping bonuses and it would be cheaper on a yearly basis than Netflix's Watch Instantly ($95.88.) As seen above and in the gallery, it consists of "unlimited, commercial-free, instant streaming of 5,000 movies and TV shows" with selections that mirror the Watch Instantly catalog closely. Resolution is apparently limited to a "pretty solid" 480p SD, but there's no word on audio or subtitle options. We'll wait to hear if anyone else is seeing a similar page before assuming a wide rollout, but it certainly appears that there could finally be a viable competitor to the Netflix juggernaut.

Update: We weren't able to pull up the option on any of our Prime-enabled accounts and from the comments it doesn't appear any of you were either. According to our tipster, the option has disappeared from his page as well. One other interesting note came from commenter vfiz, who found that several variations of the primeinstantvideos.com domain namewere registered by Amazon-owned DPReview January 5.
Gallery: Amazon.com unlimited video streaming menus
[Thanks, Pavel]Amazon rolling out Netflix-like unlimited video streaming for Prime subscribers? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Suicide Bomber Blown Up by Happy New Year Text [Terrorism]

Most New Year's Eve texts are of the drunken "eyhehyyy happy nye yearrr!" variety—incoherent and maybe a little annoying. But they don't blow you apart, as happened to a would-be Russian suicide bomber. Those SMS triggers are risky! More »

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The Beauty of Tension [Art]

Dan Grayber's sculptures are machines that only have one function: holding themselves up. But they seem to do it well, and they definitely do it beautifully. More »

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Firefox 4 beta 9 now available to download

Mozilla has just released the latest version of Firefox 4 Beta. As we're now into the closing stretch, there aren't any new or exciting features with this release -- just tweaks and bug fixes. The bookmarks and history code has been overhauled, which will improve browser startup and bookmarking speed (was bookmarking ever slow?). Per-compartment garbage collection has also been enabled, which improves the efficiency of complex animations.

As we reported earlier this week, Firefox 4 is hopefully on target for an end-of-February release. There's still one more beta to pump out, though, and then a release candidate or two. A little bird tells me that the final build of Internet Explorer 9 might also appear around the same time, too...

For more details, check the full Firefox 4 beta 9 release notes.Firefox 4 beta 9 now available to download originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Twelve South's BookArc for Air stand cozies up around your MacBook Air

Twelve South's made somewhat of a name for itself by crafting unexpected (and generally visually pleasing) accessories for everything Apple, but the ouftit's latest just seems particularly superfluous. The BookAir for Air is described as a vertical stand for the MacBook Air, enabling you to hoist your new ultraportable upright for use with a desktop monitor and keyboard. 'Course, we have to believe that only a smattering of individuals have any real interest in using their MBA as a desktop replacement, but hey, at least there's now a stand should you fit into that category. She'll be on sale soon for $39.99, with initial shipments to head out next month.
Gallery: Twelve South's BookArc for Air standContinue reading Twelve South's BookArc for Air stand cozies up around your MacBook AirTwelve South's BookArc for Air stand cozies up around your MacBook Air originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Twelve South  | Email this | Comments

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Outlet Eject Buttons: For the Sake of Old People Everywhere [Concepts]

Does your old person have trouble unplugging power cords from their sockets? Fear not! This award winning student design can see to it that, with a simple eject button, your grandma's osteoporotic fingers need not suffer unplugging her computer again. More »

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FCC grants LightSquared terrestrial-only waiver, puts an end to LTE drama

If you've been following the drama over LightSquared's application to build a wholesale integrated broadband / satellite network, it's time to put away the tissue box and toss out the bonbons. That's right, the FCC finally approved the company's conditional waiver for an ancillary terrestrial component integrated service rule. In other words, the entity gave LightSquared the green light to offer terrestrial-only phones, in addition to satellite service, as long as interference problems are addressed before the company starts building its network. Just two weeks ago, it looked like the FCC might strike down the proposal on a recommendation from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which warned of potential interference on the SMS network with the likes of Department of Defense Communications. LightSquared remained silent during deliberation, but following the FCC's decision, both parties gave a thumbs up to the outcome. Honestly, we could have done with a more heated back and forth, but we'll leave that to the professionals. What time is Bridalplasty on again?Continue reading FCC grants LightSquared terrestrial-only waiver, puts an end to LTE dramaFCC grants LightSquared terrestrial-only waiver, puts an end to LTE drama originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  LightSquared  | Email this | Comments

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SMS to Swype for Android adds your common words to Swype's dictionary

Earlier, Erez covered Swype's excellent word-learning abilities. Not only is its built-in dictionary comprehensive, but it also learns names from your address book. There's still one stumbling block to switching to Swype, though: all of your custom words and phrases that you've already added to the dictionary. Depending on where you live, and your circle of friends, you probably use very different 'txtspk', and adding them manually to Swype is a pain in the ass.

SMS to Swype, however, is a tiny app that simply adds every unique word in your SMSes to your Swype dictionary. It takes just two or three clicks and, if you have a wealth of SMSes on your phone, you won't ever have to run it again. It's free, and available from the Android Market, AppBrain, or use the QR code after the break.Continue reading SMS to Swype for Android adds your common words to Swype's dictionarySMS to Swype for Android adds your common words to Swype's dictionary originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Remembering the Challenger [Video]

Twenty-five years ago today, the nation watched as the most diverse space crew in history took off into the sky. But after just seventy-three seconds that journey turned into a technological catastrophe like none we had ever seen before. More »

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Razer trots out mildly overhauled DeathAdder Black Edition USB gaming mouse

When you've got a good thing rolling, why stop? That's the mantra applied to Razer's latest, which is actually the third DeathAdder to be released. You may remember the original slinking out way back in 2006, with the southpaws in attendance finally getting one of their own in March of last year. Today, in order to celebrate the device's Wood Anniversary, Razer's loosing the USB-connected DeathAdder Black Edition. For all intents and purposes, this is the same DeathAdder that we came to love last decade, but with an ever-so-slightly tweaked design that adds non-slip rubber sides and an all-black finish. It'll ship globally next month for $59.99 / €59.99, with orders being taken right... about.. now.
Gallery: Razer DeathAdder Black Edition USB gaming mouseContinue reading Razer trots out mildly overhauled DeathAdder Black Edition USB gaming mouseRazer trots out mildly overhauled DeathAdder Black Edition USB gaming mouse originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Razer  | Email this | Comments

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How the Common Bike Is Poised for a High-Tech Reinvention [Video]

Three remarkable innovations are transforming the mechanics of the common bicycle. In fact, these new technologies may be the most significant developments in bike engineering since the original "safety" bicycle was invented at the end of the 19th century. More »

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Bored? Go To #Whitenoise Right Now! [Community]

It's a long night and you're bored? Head over to #whitenoise and enjoy a few laughs with the folks there. More »

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Switching to Verizon iPhone? 3 Ways to Shave the Termination Fee

The Verizon iPhone is due in stores soon, but AT&T customers aching to switch face one nasty hurdle: the early-termination fee.
Many AT&T customers who bought an iPhone are still stuck in two-year contracts, and they’d have to pay a hefty price to get out. AT&T increased the early-termination fee last June from $175 to [...]

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CrunchGear Week in Review: Space Escape Edition

Here are some stories from the past week on CrunchGear: Minimalist Turntable Plays Your Records Minimally Pure Black Knife Set Is Evil-Looking, Tasteful Concept USB Drive/Battery Is At Least Clever Video: Kinect-Controlled Mini Humanoid Build Your Own Heli-Rocket For $5

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The View Atop the Googleplex: Growing Pains, Google Music, and Nerd Fights [Google]

There's a lot to absorb in Businessweek's massive look at the top of Google's executive food chain. But the juicy bits are extra-juicy. More »

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Unity 2D now available for both Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick and 11.04 Natty

After only hinting at its existence this morning, it is now possible to install Unity 2D on both the latest stable version of Ubuntu (10.10 Maverick Meerkat), and the upcoming 11.04 (Natty Narwhal).

Unity 2D takes the form of a normal Personal Package Archive (PPA) that goes by the name 'Unity-Qt'. You can get it by simply adding the the Unity 2D repository, updating apt-get, and then installing it. WebUpd8 reports that the PPA is broken at the moment, resulting in some additional steps to get it working -- but just follow their guide, and you'll be running Unity 2D in no time!

Initial reactions suggest that Unity 2D is pretty darn slick, and a viable alternative if you can't run, or don't want to run, the 3D version. There's a video of it in action after the break.Continue reading Unity 2D now available for both Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick and 11.04 NattyUnity 2D now available for both Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick and 11.04 Natty originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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O2 plans free and open WiFi network across the UK, Sky picks up The Cloud

Only a handful of Muni-Fi projects ended in anything greater than eternal tears here in the States, but hopefully O2's up for the challenge across the pond. The UK carrier just announced its intentions to "refine the WiFi landscape" in its home nation by launching O2 WiFi, with a raft of "premium hotspots" to be rolled out and managed by key venue owners. As of now, it's hard to pinpoint who exactly will begin hosting O2's routers, but the key part is this: they'll be open for all customers to access for free, no matter which mobile or broadband provider they are with. Making no bones about who it's coming after, the operator has affirmed its intentions to "at least double the number of premium hotspots currently offered by BT Openzone and The Cloud combined by 2013," with the rollout to begin as early as today and continue for as long as it takes. 'Course, doubling up The Cloud may take a little more work given that Sky just picked it up for an undisclosed sum, but hey, we're sure every Briton in existence would just love to see these two duke it out for WiFi supremacy.Continue reading O2 plans free and open WiFi network across the UK, Sky picks up The CloudO2 plans free and open WiFi network across the UK, Sky picks up The Cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  The Wall Street Journal (1), (2), BBC, O2 UK  | Email this | Comments

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Rats Now Riding the Subway Like Regular Passengers [Video]

Millions of rats living on the NYC subway tracks don't faze New Yorkers in the least. But recently, the rats have started venturing onto slumbering passengers. And now: alarming video evidence shows that rats consider themselves normal subway riders. More »

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InterfaceLift for webOS makes finding awesome wallpapers easy

If you own a Palm Pre or Pixi and you like to change your wallpaper on a regular basis, InterfaceLift for webOS is a must-have app. It's a slick mobile interface to the uber-popular eye candy site InterfaceLift.com, which boasts thousands of gorgeous background images.

You can browse or search images by creator or tag, or just flip through all the available images sorted by date, downloads, or rating. The app can also access your InterfaceLift favorites. Once you find an image you like, just tap it to go full-screen -- where you can then set it as your wallpaper.

InterfaceLift for webOS is a free download from the App Catalog.InterfaceLift for webOS makes finding awesome wallpapers easy originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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How to use custom DNS servers on your Windows computer

This week we're running a series of posts that tackle common Windows networking issues, and some tips and tricks that might speed up or improve your network stability. You can find more tech tips in our Tips index.

There are plenty of good reasons to use a custom DNS server on your computers. Some services -- like Google DNS -- can provide a speed boost to your Web browsing. Other services -- like OpenDNS and Sunbelt ClearCloud -- can protect you and your family from inappropriate content and malware. So how do you set them up?

The best place to program a custom DNS server is on your router -- where it can take care of every computer on your network. If you're not comfortable poking around your router settings, however, you can make the necessary change on your computers instead.

Start by opening the Start Menu (hit the Windows Flag key!), typing ncpa.cpl, and pressing enter (as detailed in our previous how-to). Many computers have more than one network adapter -- like the plug-in and wireless ones in a laptop, for example. More than likely, only one is actually connecting you to the Internet.Continue reading How to use custom DNS servers on your Windows computerHow to use custom DNS servers on your Windows computer originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Daily Crunch: Concept Edition

CrunchGear Drives GM?s Autonomous EN-V Concept Vehicle Hands-on With the Orbitix Sphero Best In Show: The Reese?s Peanut Butter Cup Minis CES WTF: The TV Hat Windoro: The Magnetic Window-Washing Robot

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Call of Duty 4 hits Mac App Store at overpriced $50, a sign of things to come?

And so the Apple-related price gouging hilarity begins: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, originally released in 2008, and available for $32 on Amazon, is now available from the Mac App Store for $50.

CoD4 is perhaps the first example of a 'killer app' for the Mac App Store, and exactly the injection of big-name awesomeness that it will need to attract other games publishers, and software giants like Adobe and Microsoft. CoD4 might be a little old, but given the awful Cold War-era graphics cards available in most Macs, it's probably a good idea that Modern Warfare 2 wasn't released first.

It should also be noted that this isn't the first time that a digitally-distributed game is more expensive than a boxed version from Amazon. Steam is regularly more expensive than Amazon (though not usually by such a margin), and World of Warcraft bought directly from Blizzard as a digital download is more expensive than buying a box from Amazon, or your local games shop.

What remains to be seen, though, is whether software on the Mac App Store will be aggressively discounted like on Steam. The whole point of digital distribution is that you can sell something for almost-free, and still turn a profit. Let's just hope that the Mac App Store doesn't become another place for Apple to gouge its users for more money -- digital downloads are convenient, but they really should be cheaper than their real world counterparts.Call of Duty 4 hits Mac App Store at overpriced $50, a sign of things to come? originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Amazon to buy out European movie rental and streaming service LoveFilm

After merging its DVD rental business with LoveFilm in 2008, Amazon has now agreed to buy all of the remaining shares for $312 million. Pending regulatory approval, the deal will complete in the first quarter of 2011.

LoveFilm, with extensive distribution rights in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, is usually referred to as the 'Netflix of Europe,' and this purchase is obviously intended to give Amazon a strong entry into the European DVD rental and online streaming market. Amazon is hoping that LoveFilm's entrenchment will be enough to beat out Netflix, which after conquering America must surely have its sights set on Europe.Amazon to buy out European movie rental and streaming service LoveFilm originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Sorami-skydrive for Android connects to your Windows Live cloud storage for free

SkyDrive is a fantastic cloud storage option that many people still don't know about. With 25GB of free space for your synced files, Hotmail attachments, and Office Web docs, it's worth signing up for an account (if you don't already have a Windows Live passport). What's even better is that SkyDrive storage can be accessed by other apps -- like sorami-skydrive for Android.

Install the app, enter your credentials, then tap the back button, and you've got full access to your SkyDrive storage. Not only can sorami download files, but the app can upload files to SkyDrive from your Android device. You can also create new folders, and the home button quickly returns you to the top level of your SkyDrive folders.

Sorami-skydrive is currently in beta, so expect a few bumps along the way. After creating a new folder, for example, the app became stuck on a 'loading' alert and I had to kill the task. The developer is very responsive to bug reports, however, and sorami-skydrive is improving at a steady pace.

Download sorami-skydrive for Android [AppBrain]Continue reading Sorami-skydrive for Android connects to your Windows Live cloud storage for freeSorami-skydrive for Android connects to your Windows Live cloud storage for free originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Focus the taskbar and switch windows with the arrow keys in Windows 7

This week, we're running a series of keyboard tips and tricks that help you make the most of Windows 7. To see the previous tips, check our Tips index.

The taskbar seems like it was meant to be used with the mouse only; it's a very visual thing, especially in Windows 7. But it turns out there's a way to "switch" to the taskbar and then work with it using the keyboard only! Hit Win+T to focus the taskbar, and then use the arrow keys to cycle between the icons. Whenever the focus switches to an application that's currently running, its Aero Peek pane will show up. To start an application that isn't running, press Enter.

What's nice about this system is that it takes your taskbar's orientations into account: for a vertical taskbar, Up/Down will switch windows, while Left/Right would activate the Aero Peek thumbnail pane; for a horizontal one, Left/Right would switch windows and Up/Down would activate the thumbnail pane.

This little nugget concludes our weekly Keyboard Tips series. I hope you've enjoyed it, and maybe even learned some new tricks! Check out Sebastian's list for a comprehensive rundown of many other hotkeys.

[Image credit: orangeacid]Focus the taskbar and switch windows with the arrow keys in Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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VirusTotal ? Free URL and File Checker

All of us techies know that by the time we open our new computer, or for that matter, just about any other tech device, it is close to being obsolete.� If this is, for the most part, true of tech gadgets, it is especially true of software, security software in particular.� By the time you [...]

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Does a Facebook Phone Make Any Sense? [Cellphones]

A flurry of rumors circulated today about HTC launching Facebook-branded phones. Considering the source is a British financial rag handed out for free at train stations with no proven record of tech-exclusives, we cry foul. More »

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How to hide the Ribbon menu in Microsoft Office applications

This week's series of tips will be focusing on handy little features for Microsoft Excel and Word. To see the previous tips, check our Tips index.

The new Ribbon interface on Office 2007 and 2010 is quite fancy, and once you get used to it, it's a lot of fun to use. One of its few downsides is that it's tall - far taller than a "traditional" menu. If you're working on a netbook or are otherwise pressed for screen space, it can sometimes be handy to collapse the Ribbon and make it as compact as a regular menu.

To collapse it, simply double-click one of the Ribbon's tabs, such as "Home". The whole thing will instantly shrink down to the line of tabs. Clicking a tab will temporarily expand it back. If you'd rather do the same thing using the keyboard, simply hit Ctrl+F1 (that's what I normally do).How to hide the Ribbon menu in Microsoft Office applications originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Rumor: Next-Gen iThings Will Flirt With NFC

Rumors have again surfaced that Apple will incorporate wireless payment technology into its next iPhone design. This time, it's being reported that the technology -- near field communications, or NFC -- will also be included in the forthcoming iPad 2. Several banks have already tested wireless payment capabilities with the iPhone 4 and other smartphones together with Visa.

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I Will Never Drink Any Beverage Called MeatWater [Food]

I think I'll judge a book by it's cover on this one. And right now, MeatWater—a protein-rich drink flavored like various meats—sounds like the liquid equivalent of a Dane Cook autobiography. More »

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Kaspersky Pure simplifies, centralizes home virus protection and backups

Keeping the computers on your home network can be a messy business, but Kaspersky has a solution which can make things a bit easier to manage. Their re-tooled Pure Total Security suite offers full-spectrum network protection from malware defense to backups to parental controls.

Pure packs a ton of functionality, including malware protection, firewall, spam and phishing protection, backup and restore functions, parental controls, a password manager and secure data vault, and a file shredder. However, Pure's most interesting new feature is that it lets you manage all your Kaspersky-protected systems from one location. You can adjust settings, run scans or backups, and monitor parental control activity on any system from the dashboard on your main PC.

Pure Total Security will cost you $89.95 to cover three systems for one year -- protection for five systems is $149.95. It's not a bad deal for an easy to manage, all-in-one solution.Kaspersky Pure simplifies, centralizes home virus protection and backups originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Google Voice Rolls Out Number Porting for All Users [Video]

Google Voice recently started offering number porting, but in a limited test. Today, number porting is available for all users. Current Voice users can port their cell phone number to Google Voice for a $20 fee, so none of your contacts have to learn a new number for you. We explained the ins and outs of the process here. Note that the feature is only available to current Voice users; new users should get the feature in a couple days. [Google Voice Blog] More »

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Samsungs 750 and 950 3D LED monitors do a whole lot, won't give us a price

We reported on Samsung's new line of 3D-enabled LED monitors just before the CES tsunami hit, but it seems the specs got lost in the commotion. So here's what we know about the new 750 series and the asymmetrical 950 series: they'll come in both 23- and 27-inch sizes with 1080p resolution, two-millisecond response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and D-sub, HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI-DualLink connectivity -- and they can all be ordered with a TV tuner for hybrid HDTV / monitor operation. They all do 3D for gaming, TV, films, and user-generated content, and the hybrid 750s and all the 950s can do 2D-to-3D conversion from PCs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes. We know what you're thinking: "How much?" Well, we'd like to know the same thing. The whole line hits stores in March, but Samsung has yet to set a price.Continue reading Samsungs 750 and 950 3D LED monitors do a whole lot, won't give us a priceSamsungs 750 and 950 3D LED monitors do a whole lot, won't give us a price originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CNET  |  Samsung  | Email this | Comments

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China's Map World now providing maps and POIs within the Great Firewall

Who needs a state-sponsored online mapping service? Why China, of course. We know that particular government doesn't exactly trust the Googles and who knows how far astray its Google Maps service might lead those impressionable citizens. So now there's Map World, created by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping and deemed to be "authoritative, credible and unified." The service has been out since last year but has only recently lost its beta tag. We've spent a few minutes clicking around and it certainly seems reasonably comprehensive, offering map and satellite views plus 120,000 POIs and even 3D views of some cities, which could make finding your way to den of KIRF all that much easier.China's Map World now providing maps and POIs within the Great Firewall originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Telematics News  |  Map World  | Email this | Comments

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WeWood Watches

WeWood is a company based out of Los Angeles with an idea originally stemming from Italy–to create an organic, completely natural watch inspired by the rooted but reaching power of a tree. �The resulting product, judging from their catalog, is just as much art as functional watch. �They currently offer two basic types of watch [...]

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Pandora for Mini Connected and SYNC AppLink now available for iPhone

The Mini Connected app finally hit the App Store back in December, enabling those with suitably equipped little German autos to connect their iPhones and iPods and do what nature intended. Well, everything nature intended except for streaming Pandora. Now that solemn right is a possibility too, with the latest version of Pandora available in iTunes. Update that, plug your iPhone into your Mini, and you can get your stream on, just like we did at CES. However, if you're more of a domestics guy or gal you don't have to feel left out, because this new version supports Ford's SYNC AppLink as well. And, yes, we had some quality hands-on time with that, too.Pandora for Mini Connected and SYNC AppLink now available for iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Telematics News  |  iTunes  | Email this | Comments

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CrunchGear Week in Review: Space Escape Edition

Here are some stories from the past week on CrunchGear: Minimalist Turntable Plays Your Records Minimally Pure Black Knife Set Is Evil-Looking, Tasteful Concept USB Drive/Battery Is At Least Clever Video: Kinect-Controlled Mini Humanoid Build Your Own Heli-Rocket For $5

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Win a free Motorola Xoom tablet from Android Central and Wyse Technology

The Motorola Xoom is looking to be the Android tablet to beat so far -- check out of first look at CES. And if the rumors are correct, it could well be launched in the next few weeks on Verizon. And that means it's time to give one away. We're teaming up with Wyse Technology, developer of the Pocket Cloud app, to deliver one unactivated -- and free -- Motorola Xoom tablet, running the Honeycomb version of Android. Hit the break for the full details and instructions on how to enter.
Win a free Motorola Xoom tablet from Android Central and Wyse Technology posted originally by Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

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LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range

We've been charting the progression of in-home lighting, CFLs replacing incandescents but themselves slowly walking the path obsolescence as LED bulbs get cheaper and more common. It's much the same on the vehicle lighting front, with LEDs taking over more and more automotive lighting, and now OSRAM Sylvania is giving us another reason to make that happen sooner. LED bulbs can provide the same amount of light as traditional incandescent car bulbs with less than 25 percent the energy draw. On a gas-powered auto that's not such a big deal, where LEDs are being used primarily because of benefits like cooler temps, longer life, and greater stylistic freedom, but on an EV that reduction in current draw can offer as much as a six mile boost in range on a single charge. That may not sound like much, but if you ever run out of juice five miles from home you might just change your mind.Continue reading LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle rangeLED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Autoblog Green  |   | Email this | Comments

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The Eerie Abandoned Bunkers of WWII [Video]

Across wartime Western Europe, defensive bunkers sprung up to uneasily counter the constant threat of the enemy. Some on land, some by sea, but now, all derelict. Photographer Jonathan Andrew toured several countries to capture these haunting, dilapidated relics. More »

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc subjected to a thorough video preview

This won't be the first (or by any means last) video you'll see the Xperia Arc starring in, but it is the most comprehensive look we've had so far at this finely crafted Android Gingerbread handset. The guys over at HDBlog.it have somehow sourced both the silver and black variants of Sony Ericsson's upcoming 4.2-incher and they've given the pair a nice and thorough video overview. They happily report that Timescape and Mediascape, Sony Ericsson's pervasive features in the earlier X10, have been scaled down to mere widgets, making them "far less intrusive" and resulting in the rest of the UI being "faster and easier to use." Make the leap past the break to get the full dish on SE's latest and greatest.Continue reading Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc subjected to a thorough video previewSony Ericsson Xperia Arc subjected to a thorough video preview originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  HDBlog.it (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

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Keen On? John Borthwick: The New Medium Mogul Behind Bitly, TweetDeck, Chartbeat, and SocialFlow (TCTV)

As the CEO of betaworks, John Borthwick is one of the most influential architects of the social web. Borthwick, who used to run technology strategy at Time Warner, co-founded betaworks as a new medium company for the social economy. Today, betaworks is a network of around 30 companies ? including Bitly, Tweetdeck, Chartbeat and SocialFlow ? all, in Borthwick?s words, ?loosely connected at the data level.?

Just as betaworks is a new medium company, so Borthwick is a new medium mogul. Richly networked (note the unscripted appearance of AOL chief executive Tim Armstrong ? a betaworks investor - at the end of the second video), the understated Borthwick is a master not only of social media technology, but also of knowing the right people in today?s social economy. This may explain why betaworks is based in networking capital of the world, New York City, and why Borthwick?s chairman is Ken Lerer, the co-founder and chairman of the Huffington Post.

Video ahead.

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Worst Idea: Filming a Speeding Train Running Over You [Video]

An insane person sets up a camera to film a full-speed train passing over him, as he lies flat on the tracks. Now that we're all caught up: Please don't try this at home. Please don't try this at home. More »

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AppSumo Supercharge OS X bundle giveaway

Hopefully you read our review of the AppSumo Supercharge OS X bundle over the weekend. Sam has now been playing with the bundle for a few days -- in fact, the only sound emanating from his padded room in the Download Squad bunker is the gentle, rhythmic chanting of sumo, sumo, sumo -- and at the bargain price of $14, he really can't see a reason to not buy the bundle.

Unless, of course, you win our giveaway! We have 10 copies of the excellent AppSumo Supercharge OS X bundle to give away. You can enter the giveaway by simply leaving a comment. Full terms and conditions follow after the break.

Bear in mind, if you really want the bundle, you only have 36 hours left to buy it. You can still enter the giveaway -- and if you win, you can give your license keys to friends and family!Continue reading AppSumo Supercharge OS X bundle giveawayAppSumo Supercharge OS X bundle giveaway originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Amazon to buy out European movie rental and streaming service LoveFilm

After merging its DVD rental business with LoveFilm in 2008, Amazon has now agreed to buy all of the remaining shares for $312 million. Pending regulatory approval, the deal will complete in the first quarter of 2011.

LoveFilm, with extensive distribution rights in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, is usually referred to as the 'Netflix of Europe,' and this purchase is obviously intended to give Amazon a strong entry into the European DVD rental and online streaming market. Amazon is hoping that LoveFilm's entrenchment will be enough to beat out Netflix, which after conquering America must surely have its sights set on Europe.Amazon to buy out European movie rental and streaming service LoveFilm originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Soft Screwdriver Combines Tool and Bag

Arthur Xin’s Soft Screwdriver is a clever combination of tool-roll and multi-tip screwdriver. Like a bullet-belt, the soft case has tubes to stow seven screwdriver shafts, plus one larger tube with a metal handle into which you slip any of these shafts.
Then you just roll up the bag and it wraps around the central section [...]

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Daily Crunch: Coolsville Edition

Mod Your Fender Blues Jr. ?Spotify? Now A Real Word In Sweden The Lumimask: A Mask That Wakes You As Gently As Mother Nature Kinect-Controlled Humanoid Robot ? Bring On The Robo-Gladiators! Irony: Read Kindle Books On Your Rooted NookColor

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CorelDRAW video tutorial: Make a Polaroid-like image in five minutes

When most people hear the words "vector graphics", the first thing that comes to mind is Adobe Illustrator. While Illustrator is a wonderful application, it's certainly not the only game in town: I've been using CorelDRAW for several years now, and I just love it.

I'm not a graphics pro by any stretch of the imagination, but I do need to turn out a few pretty pixels here and there for my day job. If you're just thinking about getting into vector graphics, or if you've tried Illustrator and it proved too daunting, CorelDRAW might be just what you need.

Rather than just talk about CorelDRAW or write a tutorial, I figured it would be best to show it off in a short video. I took an image of my awesome cat, Ivan, and made it into a Polaroid-like snapshot. It took me less than five minutes, without any templates or saved settings. To see how I did it, hit Play after the fold.

By the way, this is the first of four CorelDRAW tutorials to be published in the next few weeks. If you'd like to see specific aspects of CorelDRAW in action, feel free to let me know in the comments!Continue reading CorelDRAW video tutorial: Make a Polaroid-like image in five minutesCorelDRAW video tutorial: Make a Polaroid-like image in five minutes originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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The Long Leap to Clear Mobile Payment Hurdles

Coffee shop chain Starbucks this week brought the power of mobile payments via cellphone to new users -- provided those customers happen to have the right kind of device. The company announced that customers at its retail outlets in the United States will be able to pay for purchases using its mobile payment app on select smartphones.

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Microsoft readying official Kinect SDK for Windows

Microsoft, according to (you guessed it!) sources familiar with its plans, is preparing to release the official Kinect SDK for Windows. This follows the release of the official Windows drivers last month from Microsoft Kinect's manufacturer, PrimeSense.

The release of an official SDK doesn't have immediate repercussions, but it does strongly hint at a gesture-controlled future for Windows 8. With over 8 million Kinects sold in just 60 days, and with Windows' almost complete penetration of the consumer market, there's a big potential market for Windows software that can utilize Kinect -- and, who knows, by the time Windows 8 rolls around in 2012 or 2013, maybe every household will already have a Kinect just waiting to be plugged in.

If you haven't seen it yet, take a look at the Kinect-powered Minority Reportesque user interface. With this SDK, it could be just a matter of weeks before similar software appears for Windows, in the form of an easy-to-install MSI.Microsoft readying official Kinect SDK for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Put the Reader link back in Gmail with a Chrome extension

Google made a minor tweak to the Gmail navigation links recently -- moving Photos into a more prominent spot and Reader into the More drop-down. While I wasn't particularly concerned (I've got Firefox hotkeys wired to most of my bookmarks for fast mouse-free access), the change created quite a stir on Twitter.

But as is usually the case, enthusiasts who don't want to accept changes on their favorite Web sites have already responded. If you want your Reader link back and you're using Google Chrome, grab the Put Reader Back extension. Once installed, just reload your Gmail tab to see the change.Put the Reader link back in Gmail with a Chrome extension originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Daily Crunch: Coolsville Edition

Mod Your Fender Blues Jr. ?Spotify? Now A Real Word In Sweden The Lumimask: A Mask That Wakes You As Gently As Mother Nature Kinect-Controlled Humanoid Robot ? Bring On The Robo-Gladiators! Irony: Read Kindle Books On Your Rooted NookColor

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Facebook Raises $1.5 Billion At $50 Billion Valuation

Facebook has officially announced that it has just raised $1.5 billion in funding at a $50 billion valuation, according to a release issued today (we've embedded the release below).

As stated in the release, the investment was broken into two parts. Goldman Sachs participated in the first round (via an offering to its non-U.S. clients in a fund), which totaled $1 billion. In December, DST and Goldman separately invested another $500 million into the social network. Both rounds gave Facebook a $50 billion valuation, says the company. This brings Facebook's total funding to a staggering $2.336 billion.

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TechCrunch Giveaway: An Apple iPad #TechCrunch

We've given one away before, and we are doing it again.

Earlier in the month we asked our Facebook fans a question we were curious about. We asked, "Choosing from all of the cool gadgets we write about, if you had the chance to win one, which one would you want?" We had hundreds of fans chime in and the number one thing people wanted was an Apple iPad. We thought since Apple had such a tremendous quarter, an iPad is the number one thing our fans want, and the iPad just won a 2010 Crunchies Award for Best Device, why not give one away?

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Sony sues iPhone jailbreaker Geohot over PS3 firmware 3.55 hack

Seems like it's PlayStation morning! Just two days after the release of a PlayStation 3 jailbreak for firmware version 3.55, Sony is suing the creators -- one of which is none other than Geohot (pictured right), of iPhone limera1n jailbreak infamy. Both the root keys that made the jailbreak possible, and the jailbreak itself, have been removed from Geohot's website, pending a decision from the courts.

What's odd, though, is that this jailbreak doesn't allow pirated games to be run on the PlayStation 3; rather, it's simply aimed at allowing the homebrew community to install their own custom packages. Ultimately, Geohot wants to bring back the "install another OS" option, which Sony removed back in March 2010 -- but now we'll have to wait for the resolution of the court case to see if it's possible.

The legal documents are available from Geohot's website (but it's starting to get pretty slow!) There's also a video of the jailbreak in action after the break.Continue reading Sony sues iPhone jailbreaker Geohot over PS3 firmware 3.55 hackSony sues iPhone jailbreaker Geohot over PS3 firmware 3.55 hack originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Shazam plugs Spotify into its iOS and Android apps

Shazam and Spotify have announced a new partnership, and the result is a new feature in the Shazam premium apps for iOS and Android. Once Shazam has identified that song for you, you'll be able to tap to listen to it immediately in Spotify. Play in Spotify will also be added to Shazam's free apps at some point in the near future.

That sounds great, but it sure would be nice if more of us could actually use a feature like that. After all, Spotify is still struggling to launch in the U.S., and we're guessing that Canada isn't even on the radar yet. Currently you'll only be able to enjoy Play in Spotify if you're in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Spain and the Netherlands.Shazam plugs Spotify into its iOS and Android apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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LauncherPro for Android updated, brings fancy home screen transitions (video)

LauncherPro, the fan-favorite Android home screen replacement, has been updated! This is not the much-hyped complete rewrite of the codebase -- that's coming soon! -- but it does bring one of the most-requested features: home screen transitions.

Rather than tell you all about them, we've made a video that shows off the four new Compiz-like transitions -- it's embedded after the break. Suffice it to say, they're very, very sexy. And elastic-y. The other thing this update ushers in is even smoother app drawer scrolling, which is also shown in the video (though it really is hard to say, objectively, whether it's smoother than before!)

You can download LauncherPro from AppBrain, or scan the QR code after the break.Continue reading LauncherPro for Android updated, brings fancy home screen transitions (video)LauncherPro for Android updated, brings fancy home screen transitions (video) originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Health care and aeronautics industries agree that FCC should set aside bandwidth for dedicated remote patient monitoring system

Mobile body area network (MBAN) technology has the potential to be a boon to the healthcare system of the future by enabling remote patient monitoring through disposable wireless devices -- meaning fewer doctor visits for everyone and great news for latrophobes. Until now, MBAN was opposed by the Aerospace & Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC) because it utilizes the same radio bands that aircraft manufacturers do when they're testing new planes. AFTRCC didn't want all that medical chatter "polluting their spectrum" but decided to get on board with MBAN when the health care industry promised to create a way to stop signals that disrupt aeronautical traffic. MBAN is a part of the FCC's National Broadband Plan and purports to use short-length radio waves (not unlike Bluetooth) in the 2300 and 2400 MHz range to transmit physiological info to treating physicians -- as opposed to other patient monitors that use web-based communications. MBAN would initially be used in hospitals but could later find its way into residential use by employing home entertainment systems (Wii Fit integration, here we come!) to collect and transmit data. With the FCC expected to decide on the final rules for MBAN later this year, the Intel Health Guide may have some company in the at-home patient monitoring business. We can only hope that the next time the aeronautic and health care industries combine forces, it will take the form of jetpack-wearing doctors making house calls.Health care and aeronautics industries agree that FCC should set aside bandwidth for dedicated remote patient monitoring system originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Computerworld  | Email this | Comments

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Learn the Basics of Design This Weekend [Weekendhacker]

Last weekend we looked at resources to teach you how to code, but writing your app is only half the battle. It needs to look good, too. Here are resources to help you learn the basics of design this weekend. More »

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Firefox 4 tentatively scheduled for a February release

After its fair share of delays, Firefox 4 looks set for a late-February release. Posting on the Mozilla Planning mailing list, the Director of Platform Engineering, Damon Sicore, thanked Firefox 4's "tired and stressed" developers, and urged them to hang on, to produce one last burst of awesomeness and "ship the best possible product."

There are now 160 hard blockers (serious bugs) left in Firefox 4, all of which need to be squashed before a release candidate can be released. Previous releases of Firefox have squashed about 100 hard blockers in six weeks, so February release is definitely going to be tight -- but here's hoping!

If you want to do your bit, and you're not a programmer, the best thing you can do is grab the latest version of Firefox 4 and take part in the test pilot studies. The latest beta of Firefox 4 really is quite good -- and if, by chance, you stumble across a bug, report it.Firefox 4 tentatively scheduled for a February release originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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