11/01, 5:45pm
Windows share drops in Oct despite Win 7
The launch of Windows 7 in October did nothing to stop an increase in Mac share online, the latest data from Net Applications shows. Although the Microsoft OS was on sale for nine days last month, Windows' combined share of Internet traffic actually dropped to 92.52 percent while Mac OS X profited directly, reaching a new high of 5.27 percent. Windows 7 did gain share and represents 2.15 percent, but its gain was more than offset by a full percentage point of Windows users abandoning Windows XP, in many cases opting for the Mac or other platforms.
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10/27, 1:55pm
Android 2 has new browser, multiple accounts
Google today at last provided full details for Android 2.0, its first major update to its mobile OS. The platform brings a much improved approach to mail that allows both for multiple accounts and native Microsoft Exchange support. The web browser has similarly been upgraded and is only the second HTML5-capable mobile browser outside of Safari; it further brings some of the earliest multi-touch support and recognizes double-tap zooms.
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10/16, 1:00pm
Draws fire from Mozilla designer
Apple's Safari browser may occupy too central position in upcoming European versions of Windows, critics say. Users should soon be presented with a special browser ballot, explaining what web browsers are, and more crucially offering a choice of apps beyond Internet Explorer. The feature comes as a result of pressure from the European Commission, which has accused Microsoft of hampering competition by bundling IE with Windows, forcing developers to design for it and potentially limit their innovation.
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10/01, 5:50pm
NetApplications shows Mac, Firefox gains
More than a sixth of all Macs are already running Mac OS X Snow Leopard in just over a month of use, new findings from NetApplications show. On September 29th, the one month anniversary of the release, about 18 percent of all Macs tracked by the stats firm were using some version of Snow Leopard, or 0.91 percent of all computers.
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09/30, 10:55am
Also dismisses Safari, Chrome
Windows is regaining some of its marketshare, claims Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "We’re gaining share. Apple is expensive," Ballmer says in a new interview. "And in tough economic environment, people get it. Their [Apple's] model is, by definition, expensive. And we’ve actually held or maybe even gained just a tiny bit of share relative to the Mac in the last 12 months. And it’s not really Snow Leopard. It’s really Windows PCs versus Mac."
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09/15, 3:55pm
Feature requires specific set of actions
Apple has issued a clarification regarding the iPhone 3.1 firmware's anti-phishing capabilities. Released September 9th, the update includes a promised ability to detect phishing and malware sites while using Safari. Early accounts have shown inconsistent performance however, with some phones recognizing hazards, and others missing them completely. The behavior may create the impression that the feature is broken.
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08/27, 3:55pm
Apple helps lead HTML spec
An Apple manager, Maciej Stachowiak, has been appointed co-chairman of the HTML standardization group, according to CNET News. The HTML Working Group, a division of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), had previously been chaired by Sam Ruby of IBM and Chris Wilson from Microsoft. Ruby will stay on board, while Stachowiak and Paul Cotton, another Microsoft employee, will serve as the additional co-chairs.
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08/25, 9:15pm
Snow Leopard antivirus
The upcoming Snow Leopard update reportedly contains new anti-malware functionality, according to the Mac security company Intego. A number of beta testers have noticed a new warning screen that alerts users to malicious code. A leaked screenshot shows an alert dialog for an RSPlug Trojan contained in a disk image downloaded through Safari.
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08/25, 10:15am
Yahoo enhances services
Yahoo has enhanced both its Search results page and Yahoo Messenger, and has optimized its Yahoo Mail webpage for use with the iPhone. The latest version of Yahoo Mail allows users to manage their email via HTML mobile browsers, including Safari for the iPhone. The new web application additionally features improved photo sharing capabilities, new apps and added social networking and Application Box tools.
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08/21, 6:25pm
Apple Denies GV Rejection
Apple on Friday took an unusual approach in its official response to the FCC's inquiries over the rejection of Google Voice for the App Store and denied that it had rejected the app at all. The company instead claims that it "continues to study" the software and now says its primary issues are with the integration of the app, which Apple insists duplicate too many iPhone features.
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08/18, 6:55pm
Rowmote Pro 2.0 released
Regular Rate and Rhythm has released v2.0 of its Rowmote Pro iPhone app. The software utilizes an iPhone or iPod touch to control a Mac and Apple TV, similarly to Apple's hardware remote. The latest version adds direct control over Elgato EyeTV, mPlayer, Safari, Songbird, and equinux The Tube. The update also improves the control speed of the keyboard and mouse.
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08/18, 12:10pm
Easy Currencies, Money
Pear Note 1.3 ($40) is a note taking application that can record audio and video while a user is taking notes. All activities during a session are recorded including audio, video, user actions, keystrokes and slide changes, which are then placed on a timeline which can be replayed. Version 1.3 includes a new Quick List feature that can be used to quickly add lists and outlines to Pear Note Documents. A Highlighting feature has also been added along with a preference for setting the default font. [Download - 3.2MB]
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08/11, 4:25pm
Apple's Safari 4.03 update
Apple on Tuesday released Safari 4.03, an update to its cross-platform browser. The company says the "update is recommended for all Safari users and includes improvements to stability, compatibility and security including, (1) stability improvements for webpages that use the HTML 5 video tag; (2) fixes an issue that prevented some users from logging into iWork.com; and (3) fixes an issue that could cause web content to be displayed in greyscale instead of color."
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08/10, 5:25pm
Macs Faster On Web
Despite stereotypes, Macs are typically faster than Windows PCs on the web, according to data from FutureMark. Best known for its 3DMark benchmark suite, the company says that Apple's systems are about 5 to 10 percent faster on average in its Peacekeeper web code test than Windows computers with equivalent hardware. This includes any browser that runs on both platforms, including Apple's own Safari as well as Firefox and Opera.
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08/05, 11:45pm
Fliq Bookmarks sync
Mark/Space has released Fliq Bookmarks, a beta application that enables users to sync their Safari bookmarks with the Palm Pre. The application can sync both individual bookmarks as well as bookmark folders and the bookmarks bar. The software works with The Missing Sync for Palm Pre to additionally sync the device with contacts, calendars, music, ringtones, bookmarks, photos and other media. The plug-in supports various applications including iTunes, Address Book, iCal, Microsoft Entourage and iPhoto.
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08/05, 7:45pm
SeeFile 4.7 ships
SeeFile Software has launched SeeFile 4.7, updating its digital asset management software with an optimized interface and full support for Firefox 3.5, Safari 4 and Internet Explorer 8. The software is geared towards small to mid-sized companies, tracking digital media like images, PDFs and video, and organizing and distributing the media online. SeeFile monitors shared folders and volumes, tracking any changes in the file structure, and updating its database and web interface to synchronize with the file structure changes. It also automatically renders previews and imports metadata.
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08/05, 3:45pm
Net App Browser Share July
Internet Explorer's share of the web browser market has dropped to its lowest point in recent memory thanks to inroads from Apple and Google, new stats from Net Applications show. The web tracking firm says Microsoft's browser now has 67.68 percent of the market, lower than a previous low in April. Most of the losses came from both Chrome and Safari, which themselves reached all-time highs of 2.59 percent and 4.07 percent respectively.
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08/04, 4:05pm
Workamajig 10.0.2.7 debuts
Workamajig has introduced v10.0.2.7 of its self-titled Project Management Software. The update includes enhancements for Safari 4 on all platforms, and allows iPhone access to important online Workamajig work areas such as Dashboard, Time Entry, Calendar and My Items to Approve. The latest version also incorporates an enhanced interface, and new features for Leopard and Windows, supporting better cross-platform use.
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08/03, 11:00am
Microsoft Drops Win 7 E
Microsoft this weekend revealed that it would drop plans to launch Windows 7 E for Europe following a change in attitude from the European Commission. The special release, which would have provided Windows without any browser at all, is being scrapped as the Commission has tentatively embraced the company's browser ballot approach to providing a choice of web browsers. These customers should now get the same version of Windows 7 as elsewhere.
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07/31, 2:50pm
Firefox 1 bil Downloads
The Mozilla Foundation on Friday marked the 1 billionth download of Firefox. The feat was accomplished roughly four and a half years after the first pre-release version shipped in November 2004 and makes it one of the most popular browsers after Internet Explorer. It's commonly credited for unseating the Microsoft browser's near-absolute control of web browsers after the decline of Netscape and, as of the milestone, currently has just over 30 percent of the market while Internet Explorer has just over 60 percent.
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07/24, 3:20pm
Euro Win 7 Multi Browser
Microsoft this afternoon hoped to settle the European Commission's antitrust case over unfair web browser bundling by promising to give users a choice of web browsers when Windows 7 ships in October. The proposal mimics the EC's solution and would provide a "ballot" that lets first-time users choose from one of multiple browsers, all of which would be pre-loaded in Windows. As before, users could also download other browsers and set them as the default.
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07/16, 11:45pm
Thurly plug-in released
Elixir has released a plug-in for the Apple Safari Internet browser, Thurly. The plug-in is used to shorten URLs and post them on Twitter from within Safari. Using a keyboard shortcut, Thurly automatically shortens the URL of the webpage currently open. Thurly can post the URL directly to the users Twitter account using another keyboard shortcut or by clicking the Tweet button added to the browser window.
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07/14, 6:00pm
Web Browser Comparison
With the latest versions of Apple’s Safari and Mozilla’s Firefox recently released, it became time for a browser comparison to test whether or not improvements in standards and raw speed have made a difference. This is especially true given the rapid shift in market share from Internet Explorer's one-time dominance: according to Statcounter, Internet Explorer currently commands just 61 percent of the browser market, while Firefox has climbed to second place with 30 percent market share and the last 9 percent shared between Chrome, Opera, Safari and smaller rivals. Click through for our full browser tests to see whether those slices of the market are deserved.
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07/10, 8:30am
Google CEO Talks to Apple
Google chief Eric Schmidt last evening said he would talk to Apple to determine whether or not he should recuse himself from the Mac maker's board of directors following the unveiling of Chrome OS. The executive told those at Allen & Co's technology conference that there is currently "no issue" with his remaining on the board but that he will ask Apple if it sees a conflict of interest to have another desktop operating system developer involved in its decisions. Apple itself hasn't commented on any possible change in relationship.
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07/09, 10:30pm
Microsoft Silverlight 3
Microsoft tonight launched the public version of Silverlight 3, its animation and video plugin for the web. The rival to Flash is the company's first to use hardware graphics acceleration both for 3D and for offloading the work of decoding video from the main processor. Regardless of graphics power, the update is also the first to promise a near-seamless HD video experience: a "smooth streaming" technique that automatically lowers the bitrate to start playback immediately and quickly brings it back up to provide the maximum quality the connection allows.
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07/08, 4:50pm
MS Teaser and Gazelle
Microsoft is planning a "big" announcement on Monday that may have forced Google's hand in launching Chrome OS, tech pundit and Rackspace blogger Robert Scoble claimed today. While a non-disclosure agreement prevents him from providing further details, he implies that the news will have something to do with web apps, which will be the way software can run in Google's upcoming platform.
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07/08, 4:45pm
Safari 4.0.2 update
Apple has posted the v4.0.2 update to Safari, its Mac and Windows web browser. The patch implements a relative handful of changes, primarily upgrading the Nitro engine to include new security and compatibility fixes. Nitro is responsible for JavaScript rendering, and is thus linked with many speed improvements over Safari 3.
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07/08, 2:55pm
Chrome OS and Apple Board
Google's launch of Chrome OS today could create a conflict of interest that forces its chief Eric Schmidt off of Apple's board of directors. Although the two companies continue to collaborate on the iPhone, iLife and other projects, the creation of an operating system intended for full-fledged computers now means Google has products that can compete directly with two out of three of Apple's key businesses, as Android and now Chrome OS both give it a vested interest against the iPhone and Mac OS X.
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06/30, 1:20pm
Clipstart, Speed Download
Typinator 3.5 ($28) is a tool that will type out repeating texts and pictures. Users can set up a list of commonly used words and images, and then set up fragments that can be used trigger each phrase or image. Version 3.4 uses a new expansion technique which allows the software to operate faster than previous releases. The update also includes improved compatibility with XCode, BBEdit and TextWrangler, Eclipse and many Java applications. Additionally, several bugs have been fixed including one that could cause Typinator to forget its license information when synced with MobileMe. [Download - 2.7MB]
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06/19, 6:55pm
Deskology releases DESKSET
In brief: To celebrate Father's Day, XtraLean Software is currently offering 50-percent discounts on two of its software products. Until the end of the weekend customers can purchase ShutterBug and ImageWell for $20 and $10, respectively. TiBITS Publishing has announced the release of "Take Control of Safari 4," a book which explains some of the new features in the latest iteration of the Safari browser. Deskology has announced that it will be relaunching its DESKSET accessory kit which features several pieces for organizing a desktop. All of the components are made of anodized aluminum and have been designed to match the style of Apple's computers.
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06/17, 5:55pm
Safari Bluetooth updates
Following the iPhone 3.0 firmware release, Apple on Wednesday also updated Safari and Bluetooth firmware for Mac systems. The Safari update is designed to correct compatibility issues between Safari 4.0 and a number of features in iPhoto '09, such as Places and publishing to Facebook.
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06/17, 4:20pm
iPhone OS 3 First Look
With the launch of iPhone OS 3.0 today, Electronista and MacNN are taking a look at the major upgrade to see how well the features work in practice on existing iPhones and the iPod touch. We'll see whether the 3.0 update alone will be enough to satisfy owners or whether they still stand to benefit from the upgraded hardware in the iPhone 3G S.
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06/12, 10:25am
11M Safari 4 downloads
Over 11 million copies of the final version of Safari 4 have been downloaded in a space of three days, Apple claims. The software became available for Macs and PCs on Monday, following Apple's WWDC keynote. Prior to the keynote, a beta version of the web browser had been available since February. It is not known how many downloads of the beta were recorded.
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06/12, 8:45am
EU Say Win 7 E Not Enough
Microsoft's decision to pull Internet Explorer from Windows 7 in Europe isn't enough to address EU antitrust complaints about the company's abuse of the market, the European Commission said Friday. The continent's officials now say that Microsoft's proposed solution would actually hurt competition as it would leave the five percent of those buying retail copies of Windows each year with few options. Instead of having an immediate choice, buyers would have to resort to obtaining a physical copy of a web browser or else some alternative.
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06/11, 3:10pm
Safari tabs petition
In brief: The Mac U has released a new video designed to help customers become more familiar with the latest release of iMovie. The video includes approximately 90 minutes of content and covers topics ranging from organization to editing. Mophie has announced that its latest small-form case and external battery combo will be fully compatible with the iPhone 3GS. The case is claimed to be one of the smallest external batteries available, and add an additional 4.5 hours of 3G talk time. Meanwhile, a new petition has been started, in an attempt to see the tabs-on-top feature returned to Safari 4. The feature was introduced in the Safari 4 beta, but ultimately removed.
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06/08, 7:00pm
Safari security updated V4
The new Safari 4.0, announced today at the WWDC keynote address, includes a host of security enhancements. Issues with CFNetworks have been resolved, with the program examining the content of CFNetwork files and treat them as HTML, and downloading files to the user's secure temporary direction location. CoreGraphics has also been enhanced, fixing memory corruption issues by improving bounds checking, error checking and input validation of TrueType font data.
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06/08, 2:00pm
Safari 4 official release
Apple today announced the official release of Safari 4. A public beta version of the web browser has been available for several months, and introduced the Top Sites feature, along with a slightly modified interface. The official release has refined problems users reported with the beta, and also includes several new enhancements. Safari 4 is one of the few browsers to score 100/100 on the Acid test, and Apple also claims to have upped the browser's Javascript performance by 50 percent, arguing that Safari 4 is now 7.8 times faster than Internet Explorer 8.
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06/03, 9:45pm
Adobe unveils BrowserLab
Adobe has unveiled its newest application, BrowserLab, releasing it as a free downloadable preview. The program, originally code-named Meer Meer, is used to compare webpages in Safari, Internet Explorer, and Firefox to ensure designs remain consistent between each browser. The program uses virtualization technology hosted through a cloud-based application, eliminating the need to install all three browsers.
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05/22, 12:30pm
Macte! Safari Toolbar
Macte! Labs has released a beta version of the Macte! Safari Toolbar, an extension for Apple's web browser. Although most toolbars for Safari are based on hacks, the Macte software is said to rely on officially-documented techniques. Integrated are several search options, including Google, Yahoo and Live. The extension also provides access to services such as e-mail, currency rates, stock prices and Google Translate.
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05/21, 3:25pm
Google Chrome Speed Boost
Google this afternoon launched an official update to its Chrome browser that it hopes will fight back against Safari 4 and other newer rivals. The upgrade further refines the software's distinctive JavaScript engine and is estimated to be about 30 percent faster when using web apps and other sites that depend heavily on the code. Chrome similarly gets updates that bring it up to par with some features on other browsers, such as autofill for forms as well as a full-screen mode and the ability to remove unwanted thumbnails from the "most visited" page.
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05/12, 6:15pm
Apple security updates
Following the availability of Mac OS X 10.5.7, Apple on Tuesday released updates for Safari, Mac OS X Tiger systems and OS X 10.5.7 Server. Safari 3.2.3 is recommended for all Safari users, providing fixes for a number of security vulnerabilities. The downloads are available for Tiger, Leopard and Windows operating systems, with file sizes ranging from 20MB to 40MB.
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04/23, 12:10pm
Safari audio controls?
Apple is considering integrating audio controls into the Safari web browser, a newly-published patent application shows. Although Windows and the Mac OS have dedicated volume controls, a recurring problem with websites is the tendency to impose unwanted audio, whether in the form of music, voices or sound effects. Many people are already listening to their own music while they browse, Apple notes.
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04/21, 3:35pm
Google O3D
Google this afternoon took the covers from an early version of O3D, a new standard for controllable 3D on the web. The format is intended to be a truly browser- and OS-independent format that supports truly modern 3D graphics and which runs well when interacting with the modern web. It takes advantage of the shader (visual programming) effects of current graphics chipsets to produce visuals such as rippling water, reflections and fire, all while properly supporting JavaScript for elements such as real-time changes to the 3D world.
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04/15, 3:40pm
Microsoft 2nd EU Delay
Microsoft today said it had been given a second extension by the European Commission to prepare a response against antitrust charges that it has unfairly controlled web browsers. Having already been given a first extension that gave it until April 21st, the American firm has until April 28th to provide its own stance and early defense against the claims. Why the added time is required hasn't been formally explained.
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04/13, 5:30pm
PDF Studio, CoolIris
TM Error Logger 1.2 (free) can display additional details related to Time Machine error messages. Whenever Time Machine reports an error one can use the software to find which file or folder caused the problem and be directly linked to that location in the Finder. Version 1.2 has added additional install instructions and fixed the Donate button for Intel Macs. [Download - 1.8MB]
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04/01, 2:15pm
Browser wars tighten
Firefox 3 has overtaken Internet Explorer 7 in Europe according to data from StatCounter. Although IE still leads when counting all versions (IE 8IE7/IE6), the current Mozilla-based Firefox usage has surpassed IE 7 by a percentage point. Ars Technica has reported that IE 8, released two weeks ago, has pulled over two percent of IE 7 users from its ranks, dropping it beneath Firefox.
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03/30, 5:30pm
TimeTable, Safari 4 Buddy
VideoFlash Converter 2.4 ($40) allows the conversion of QuickTime compatible video files to either the Adobe Flash SWF or FLV format. The most popular formats are supported, including AVI, MOV, MPG, DivX and more. Version 2.4 includes a new Preview Pane that is displayed while flash movies are loaded from the web and a new rangebar style. [Download - 16.2MB]
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03/20, 3:25pm
IE8 Launch Stats
The release of Internet Explorer 8 hasn't had any significant impact on Firefox or any other competing browser, data collected by StatsCounter shows. While the final release of IE8 increased its market share slightly on launch day to 1.39 percent, Firefox 3.0 grew more quickly and reached 25.38 percent. The most significant losses were for Internet Explorer 7: the outgoing browser lost 0.4 percent of the total share.
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03/19, 7:50am
MS Launching IE8 Today
Microsoft on Thursday said it would launch Internet Explorer 8 at 12PM Eastern. The app is the company's first significant web browser release since 2006 and is partly meant to address gaps in its feature set compared to other, newer browsers: a new rendering engine makes it more compatible with true W3C web standards while still having support for IE-specific pages. It also has shortcuts to perform context-sensitive tasks through specific websites (such as a Facebook search), visual search suggestions, and a WebClip-like feature known as Web Slices that lets users bookmark specific sections of websites and see them at a glance.
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03/06, 4:55pm
AttendeesAlerter,Schreiben
iPresent It 2.4 ($18) allows users to convert PowerPoint, PDF or Keynote presentations into slideshows that can then be synced with an iPod. The software optimizes shows for viewing on an iPod or Apple TV and can automatically detect the presentation resolution and ensure that the resulting formation is formatted properly. Version 2.4 has added additional support for the new Keynote '09 presentation file format. [Download - 0.9MB]
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