Briefly: Speed Dial for Opera; HDMI switch
updated 03:00 pm EDT, Wed March 28, 2007
Speed Dial for Opera
In brief: Opera introduces the Speed Dial feature to its web browser, IOGEAR ships an automatic HDMI switch, Case-mate donates to charity, and Fast Icon posts iPhone-style downloads.... Opera has released a new beta of its self-titled web browser, which now includes a feature called Speed Dial. As users open new tabs in Opera, Speed Dial displays thumbnails of up to nine favourite websites, which can either be clicked directly or opened with their corresponding number. The company intends to continue refining Speed Dial for its inclusion in the next official release of the browser, v9.2. The beta v9.20b can be downloaded here.
IOGEAR ships two-port HDMI switch
IOGEAR has launched the 2x1 Automatic Switch, a hub that allows two HDMI devices -- such as the Apple TV -- to share the same port on a TV or monitor. Though falsely claimed to be the first, the hub is also notable for automatic source detection, eliminating the need for a remote or another form of manual input selection. The 2x1 supports resolutions up to 1080p and is on sale for $170.
Case-mate profits go to prevent child abuse
Case-mate has announced that during the month of April, sales of its leather iPod video and nano cases will trigger a $1 donation to Prevent Child Abuse America. PCAA is a national charitable organization that works exclusively to prevent abuse and neglect. The donation applies not only to the Case-mate website, but to Dr. Bott and Target retail stores.
iPhone icons for the desktop
Fast Icon has produced a new collection of icons for Mac OS X, Linux and Windows, based on those seen in the iPhone interface. The download is 290KB and includes symbols for the likes of the Clock, Web, and iPod functions of the upcoming product. Fast Icon has also produced packs around themes such as Finder and the iPod shuffle. All downloads are free.
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2001
expensive switch
$170 for a 2-to-1 HDMI switch?! If you don't mind a little less convenience, you can get a 1080p-capable remote controlled 5-to-1 HDMI switch from Monoprice.com for about half that price ($88.73 as of today). I have one in my home theater and it works quite well.
The inconvenience factor can be easily overcome with a Harmony remote; the low-end models can be obtained for less than $100, which gives you the capability to switch 5 input sources for roughly the same price as 2 input sources with IOGEAR's switch.