Skimmer - Tracking Your Social Networks

Nowadays, we everyone get various kinds of social site activities, Facebook, Twitter followers, Flickr photos and possibly a majority of other social ones. Connected with different friends in different favorite activities, we do wish a comprehensive desktop application for us to follow them in a general but full-scale manner. Hereby, we introduce you a happy medium that is Skimmer, an Adobe AIR desktop client for Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and Blogger.

For a better day-to-day social web activities generation, we need to learn about what's new in skimmer, afterwards, skimmer will make it easier and more fun to follow our friends.

Feed View
Skimmer works as an aggregated feed of posts from your friends on Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube and Blogger. Either by service, group or keyword, multimedia content would be distinguished by presence of thumbnails in a very quick and easy way. There is also a cool feature in it. No matter what kinds of updating information included in your friends’ upload, photo, audio even video upload, Skimmer helps you a simple click on it and get a relevant preview.

Slideshow
Once you want to view your Flickr and YouTube photos any time, use skimmer to create a full screen slideshow view, seeing all of your content at a larger resolution and of course without all of the clutter. There is a small slideshow icon next to an image or video. For Flickr View, it is also very simple and functional. Browse your friends' sets in a new way. You will get recent activities of them and enjoy in a high-resolution slideshow at the same time.

Own Social Profile
With all of your friends' recent life streaming content on a single screen, you can customize your information settings appears to your friends. Embed code is optional for any case you want to put customize profile on the web.

Skimmer is very obviously a current beta service with a penchant for visual stimuli. Equally to a content aggregator, life stream and status updater, skimmer aims at striping away some of the features other desktop applications have. Totally speaking, Skimmer has your overall viewing experience enhanced, furthermore provide us a tracking experience on our social network activities.

iPhone OS 3.0 Beta Released

Apple today launched iPhone OS 3.0 software a beta version for registered developers. With over 1,000 new Application Programming Interfaces, iPhone OS 3.0 beta public release contains an updated Software Development Kit. In-App Purchases, Peer-to-Peer connection, accessory interface, music library, Maps and Push Notification are all embodied in new iPhone OS 3.0. Besides, Apple announced that new iPhone OS 3.0 with over 100 new features will come out for iPhone and iPod touch users in this summer.

For this Beta version, over 1,000 new APIs are available today for development and testing in iPhone and iPod touch. Among them the ability to leverage an incredible purchase model of App store is notable. In App Purchases, developers subscribe content and sell new content and features in a simple but secure process. With Bluetooth, peer-to-peer games are created into iPhone and iPod touch.

Another key developer feature is the ability for apps to interface with hardware. A total control for iPhone and iPod touch accessory developers provides a hardware interface experience. Developers can also take the Apple's Maps to integrate Google Mobile Maps Service within apps, including map tiles, current location, custom annotation and geocoding. Moreover, Apple Push Notification service supplies users a mechanism and alert them with sound, text or a badge.

Furthermore, new iPhone OS 3.0 software will be released in this summer, including cut, copy and paste, MMS, audio files and locations with the Messages app, capturing and sending recordings. Landscape in mail, text and notes with search capability, together make developers to search by typing a key word or phrase into the new spotlight search. It's so convenient to access from the home screen. For information share, updated stock app helps to show current news, trading information and a landscape view of any stock chart. Shared calendars right on the iPhone is also available.

The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software now are open for registered developers to download from official website. We can also waiting for iPhone OS 3.0 this summer freely. Like Philip Schiller, the senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing indicated, "The new iPhone OS 3.0 is a major software release packed with incredible new features and innovations for iPhone customers and developers alike. It will keep us years ahead of the competition."

Turn your PC into a music discovery machine on Zune.net

Zune.net was updated by Zune team with several interesting features. Podcast catalog management and music quiz, these two obvious entertainments deserve special attentions.

Podcast catalog management
Previously, we subscribe podcasts that we like. But sometimes, we get the information including unwilling things. Via Zune.net, the entire podcast catalog is updated and now available. The Zune software started when you pick the audio you like and add it to your favorite collection. Besides, Zune.net supports directly streaming more than 12,000 audio podcasts.

Moreover, Silverlight in Zune.net will guide you a fast viewing procedure when you do not like to add the podcast or download to your PC in case of any space occupation. Here, listen on Zune.net directly with Silverlight without subscription or download.

Music quiz
"Zune social" is a new feature. Sometimes, we already had the music and wish to share with others. In Zune, you can connect with friends, artists and fellow fans. Do you want to know the guy owns same music understanding with you? Collect your music, list out any questions about them and add answers in your user profile. Your friends can take it as a quiz and try to find answers out. It is really a "Zune Class". Discuss and talk with them, share related music knowledge!

The same like that, once you get a music library, you can organize the way you want to listen. For example, new music and videos are listing in the front and central place. Zune.net also creates a list with the hot or the new ones at Zune Marketplace for your song recommendation. This is an information share and popular song collection for music lovers. What is worth mentioning, Zune Marketplace is an online store built into Zune software. To search, browse, preview and even purchase a series of millions of songs, TV shows, and of course podcasts. Either you are popular song lover or nostalgic one, discover in Zune!

Apart from that, Zune.net is all the time playing an important part in entertainment development. With their always colorful layout and clean page, users can check out the things needed in a brief way and pleasant mood! The most important thing is, Zune.net include almost newest elements and will focus on it for a very long time!

Try Zune.net! Accept a unique music listening experience and podcast subscription! We are not only listening to the music, see the things happened in internet, but we are also devoting our life to important parts - music and communication! Let's constantly live inside Zune.net and create our profile! If you haven't already, you should check out the Zune 3.0.

Download Zune 3.0

Chatting Experience with iGoogle

Do you ever imagine you would contact with friends even he gets no Gmail account? iGoogle does. The Google developing team released that since today iGoogle users will have their dream come true.

Gmail is popular among those business people for chatting, communicating and email service. But it does bother you more or less. You have to contact with that kind of people who also has Gmail account. But in iGoogle, it is out! Open an iGoogle page, and then send instant messages to your colleague, friend and family. Even they are not Gmail user, you two can talk freely. Furthermore, all the current chat settings in Gmail will be applicable in iGoogle. Try it easy! So much as you can choose chat options and the "sign out of chat" is shown. Never be disturbed when you want!

Moreover, the iGoogle team is now working on multilingual options for users all over the world. Don't worry! Try the English version and have a different chat experience! If you don't see it on your iGoogle page and you simply can't wait to check it out, feel free to opt in by going to www.google.com/ig/v2invite.

Downnload Google Talk

Windows 7- Improvement since Beta for the RC

When we are now enjoying the happiness and convenience Windows 7 Beta brought, the engineering team of Windows 7 are busying on RC (Release Candidate). Since we got this news, most of us feel curious about the change. What will we get from RC since Beta? Yesterday, we finally got the changes from official engineering blog of Windows 7.

Totally, there must be some improvements, many under the hood but also many visible. For the visible changes, we discuss from three points of view: Core User Experience, Find & Organize and Devices & Media.

Core User Experience
1. Aero Peeks supports ALT+TAB
Customers have overwhelmingly given positive feedback about Aero Peek. Some users wondered the reason why Peek was never made in application for the ALT+TAB window. When we hold the mouse over the taskbar, the thumbnail shows the same way. Hence in RC, Windows took this request into it.

As a new piece of improvement in Windows 7, the selected windows show normally. With a partially transparent frame，some website windows are mostly transparent. This time in RC, customers can switch them with ALT+TAB. Aero Peek will appear when more window information is needed. There is also another application. Some users are dedicated to touch benefits. So, the Aero Peek let us drag our fingers in taskbar's thumbnails. the show desktop button is improving, we can conveniently see our desktop in a press-and-hold way.

2. Improved Color Hot-Track
Color Hot-Track is used to judge whether the program in taskbar is running. But we get no color changes when we move and clip our mouse in thumbnails. Color Hot- Track in RC can be identified in taskbar thumbnails easily.

3. Windows Logo + <#> keyboard shortcut
As in Windows, efficiency is the key for keyboard shortcuts. We do hope we can use more and more shortcuts to make our programs simplified. Pressing Windows Logo+ <#> in a program order, the item is simply launched. Just imagine ALT+TAB for the first 10 items on the taskbar. Easily flip back to the last window by CTRL+ Windows Logo + <#>. We get keyboard convenience!

Find & Organize
There is a specific control panel. As we all know Windows is engaged in the UAC control panel improvement. There will be more specific user settings. This will be also a spotlight in RC. With Windows 7, you will lock your computer without any screensaver. Do not trouble yourself on the screensaver! The RC will try to make a change in where we can not specify any screensaver to lock computer during a certain part of time.

There will be also some desktop icon improvements. In Beta, it is hardly to separate icons and tools with View Setting. We are looking forward to show desktop icons and tools optionally in RC.

Devices & Media.
Improved Windows Media Player leads us a more clearly video preview. In RC, the previewing videos will be clearer when Media Player is in process. Also, Windows Logo +E, which can open Windows Explorer before, have been altered back in RC. There will be no any use for some people who use the shortcut to open Media library in Beta. But let’s practice it!

More details about Windows 7 RC, you can visit Windows 7 engineers' blog.

Since the Windows 7 released until now, there is an "everyone Windows 7" Era. For the stability, function and usability, we know, windows is always on the path working towards RC and of course we feel anxious about the next phase of RTM. Absolutely, we are also on the path expecting it!

Review of Safari 4 Beta

Like the title, let's check it out.

Apple released new Safari 4 Beta (Mac OS X Version Windows Version )browser on this Tuesday. This new version of Safari browser owns obvious new seven leading features, including Nitro Engine, Top Sites, Full History Search, Cover Flow, and Tabs on Top, Windows Native Look and Developer Tools. We introduce them from respective functions.

Nitro Engine
Among them, the major and important new advantage is Nitro Engine. Nitro Engine is the core of Safari 4 Beta. Don't you ever hope your browser will lead you a special and fast browsing experience? Just try Safari 4 Beta. It is also the Nitro Engine that makes new Safari 4 Beta run faster than other browsers. It is pointed out that it will run JavaScript four times faster than Safari 3, three times faster than Firefox and thirty times higher than Internet Explorer 7. To speak of, with the most advanced and increasing technologies, the Safari 4 contains strong fast performances.

Top Sites
Do you also imagine your browser can makes you to look through in a visual browsing way and provide a special top sites list for you? Exactly, Top Sites in Safari 4 Beta shows you to enjoy a convenience of preview favorite websites; you even do not need to lift a finger! Safari 4 Beta will remain the record you visiting and rank them at the same time. Users can also customize display layout according to adding some favorite websites in a specific location of your grid browsers. Don't you think it is so easy to look your browsing top ones where you are usually being? You do not need to enter the whole website location in you grid. Just use your Top Sites of Safari 4 Beta!

History Search &Cover Flow
Besides, Safari 4 Beta also gives you a full History Search experience. Together with new Cover Flow, they two offer users a highly visual way of reviewing site history and bookmarked pages. Presenting you those you even visited, you will see again where you have gone. Is there a pity you have looked half of a page but it is suddenly closed? Do you want to find out the information you are reading and copy them? History Search and Cover Flow will solve you problem.

Windows Native Look
Furthermore, Safari 4 Beta will consider your computer system. Even you run Windows Vista or Windows XP on your PC, Safari 4 Beta will absolutely make you feel integrated. Safari 4 Beta contains a classic Windows native page layout. No matter Windows title bar, toolbar, borders, Safari 4 Beta even make the Windows fonts in application! So, here you will turn your difficulties between Windows and PC away!

Developer Tools
Last but not the least, developer tools of Safari 4 Beta can provide the personal settings for users. Open a page, turn it on Safari preference and use them to examine the structure of that page.

Tabs on Top
Finally, with a little difference from some browsers, Safari takes tabs on a new height! It still supports opening many pages at the same time in a single browser window.

To summarize all of advantages of Safari 4 Beta, the best way is to download it and save your personal browsing experience. Just like Brian Croll from Apple said, Safari is always engaged in performance, innovation and internet standards. It can be said, Safari 4 Beta takes a biggest step on browser development innovation. We do believe, Apple, will further bring us a lot of well-performed website tools. Let's desire!

Nice! The newest official wallpaper of Brothersoft

Brothersoft just released their newest official wallpaper, very nice-looking and web 2.0 feeling, just download and use if you like.

Windows Live Messenger 2009 - Novelties and Permanencies

Windows Live Messenger (formerly known as MSN Messenger, colloquially MSN) is one of the most popular free IM clients, and since July 22, 1999 when it was first released it's been going through severe improvements year after year, and version after version. However, this is the first time Windows Live Messenger brings a really interesting set of novelties starting with the year as a version number, but changes and novelties go far beyond nomenclature issues. Not only there are external and aesthetic enhancements but also in terms of features, possibilities and functionality.

This brand new Live Messenger 2009 was launched by Microsoft not alone but as a part of the general renovation of Live applications. Unlike older version 8 which went through so many phases in several attempts to clean its appearance: minimalist, modern, lite, and not only did never get to fit but also presented many incongruities, in my opinion, the novelties brought by version 2009 are various and make of it a much more solid IM client. Today we are going to go through them in this article, which is the result of having personally tested this version on Windows 7.

Note: In order to be able to download and install Windows Live Messenger 2009 it is mandatory to download Windows Live Installer. This free bundle also brings all programs inside the Windows Live products, they are Windows Mail, Photo Gallery, Toolbar, Writer, Family Safety, Silverlight and Movie maker (beta), but if you don’t want to install all or some of them, just uncheck them and make sure that only Messenger and those you want are checked. If there is an old version of Windows Live Messenger installed on your PC, you will find that Messenger will be at the bottom section and says "This program will be updated".

First Impressions
At first look we can notice its renewed sign-in interface, consistent with the look of Windows 7, it integrates itself very appropriately in the Aero environment.

Once I signed-in, various things called my attention immediately from top to bottom in the contact list: on the right upper corner there is a mouse-over with a brush that goes uncovered and invites you to change the scene. Clicking there takes you to the Scene window which is like a theme selector with background pictures and colours from where to choose the one fits best your likes for the appearance of the main window.

The second thing to be noticed is the Favorites group on top of the contact list, there you can drag your favourite contacts or add them from your contact list by means of the link in the blue legend which opens a window where you can choose the contacts you want to add to this section,

And finally at the bottom of the contact list we find "What's new" a new feature that will keep you updated with your contacts information such as their Display Picture or Personal Status Message all this will go on even when you were offline.

Be Yourself!
Now you can really show others how you are and how you feel in your display pictures, Live Messenger 2009 allows you to use pictures or short videos of yourself which have the ability to change according to your mood.

Additionally you will find that there are many animated display pictures and the possibility to access some sites where to find a lot of extra images to enrich your display items.

Another very helpful feature is that now you can drag pictures right to the chat session window in order to show them to your friends as you chat and they can (if allowed by you) save them into their computers. You can also send the content of your clipboard directly by copy/paste into the chat dialog box from an image editor like Irfanview or similar.

As always you can share activities like games but now you can also share Messenger TV, Photo sharing, Mimic and much more.

In Conclusion
Well, these seem to be the most important novelties in Windows Live Messenger 2009. You know, there are for sure a bunch of features to be discovered. I've been chatting with friends and relatives and it looks incredible. So in my opinion it is highly advisable to make an update to Messenger 2009, satisfaction guaranteed!!

Download Windows Live Messenger 2009