Technology & Business
What's new in Google Chrome version 27 beta?
Like most tech savvy computer users, my browser of choice [in the pre-Chrome days] was Firefox. It was the most stable and secure browser around (compared to Internet Explorer, Opera, etc). We all love Chrome because it is a fast browser, has a clean uncluttered interface and is constantly updated. We recently received the stable version of Chrome version 26 and now adventurous users can start playing with the beta version of Chrome version 27. After all the hoopla about Google changing Chrome’s rendering engine to its new in-house Blink product, you may have thought that version 27 may have finally implemented it.
Test Blackberry Z10 from the comfort of your browser
Interesting in testing out the Blackberry Z10 but don’t know where to take it for a test drive? Blackberry wants to make this easier and has created a special site you access via your IOS or Android browser which replicates some to the key Blackberry Z10 functionality. It is an interesting walk through of some of the key gestures, multitasking functionality, shows the Blackberry hub, BBM and time shift. It isn’t a full emulator but it is enough for you to decide if it is interesting enough to drive to your local mobile phone shop.
Samsung Galaxy SIV faster than the iPhone 5
Analysts were spreading incredible rumors prior to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy SIV and were disappointed when the device delivered a more bland device. Primate Labs took the US version of the Galaxy SIV for a test drive against its main competitors what it seems to have performed really well. Looks like the US version smokes the HTC One, Google/LG Nexus 4, Samsung Galaxy S3, the iPhone 5 and the Blackberry 10. See the detailed benchmark here.
Apple begins iPhone 5s production for July/August launch
A new report sent to the Wall Street Journal says Apple will begin production of the next generation iPhone sometime in Q2 (aka starting now). The report claims the new device (iPhone 5s) will have the same shape and design of the existing iPhone 5. The report provides the same release info other rumors have mentioned, which is a July/August lunch. The much rumored “cheap” iphone for developing countries is expected sometime in the second half of the year.
Logitech UE Mobile Boombox Review
Whether you’re a business traveler or love to listen to music around the house, a good Bluetooth wireless speaker is the way to go and the Ultimate Ears Boombox is a wonderful option. Why wireless and why bluetooth Over the last 5 years, we have been deluged by speakers with docking connectors in all shapes and sizes but the era of dock based speakers is dead. Why is it dead you ask? Apple killed it when it switched from its traditional 30 pin dock connector to the new Lightning connector.
MacX Video Converter Pro free (normally $50)
The team at Digiarty is giving away free copies of their popular video converter app called MacXVideo Converter Pro. It converts videos into Mac and Apple product compatible formats easily, quickly and while maintaining the highest quality. It currently supports these formats for input : MKV, M2TS, AVCHD, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, AVI, MPEG, MP4, H.264, MOV, FLV, F4V, RM, RMVB, WebM, Google TV.
Counterfeit smartphone cases are not worth it
I receive a lot of questions about counterfeit products and 80% of them are related to headphones. I recently read an interesting press release from Otterbox about their fight to keep counterfeit smartphone cases off the street. Otterbox is the grand poobah of smartphone case manufacturers. They are number one in most countries and are struggling under the tidal wave of cheap Asian knock-offs. In 2012 alone, the US Customs and Border protection teams seized over 118000 counterfeit Otterbox items.
9 Premium Mac apps free for another 2 days
You can download $130 of premium Apple Mac apps for free right now from the MacUpdate team. These are the full versions of these 9 apps. Once you register with MacUpdate (free), you can download these in minutes.
25% of everything at Griffin Technologies
Griffin is a well established manufacturer of smartphone accessories and they are now offering a full 25% of everything with the code SPRING25 You can use this discount to score some sweet gear for your iphone, ipad, ipad mini, android device and even a mac or PC. Griffin even has an Apple certified Lightning cable you can pick up through this promo for as low as $13US. Start shopping before the deal is gone.
Sonic Dash for iphone and ipad temporarily free
Sonic Dash (normally $1.99) is now free for a limited time. It's the first time this game has been made free so grab it while you can. iTunes Link here.