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Mozilla Firefox 2.0 Beta 2 Released

August 31st, 2006

Mozilla has released its preview of the next new version of its Firefox web browser known as Firefox 2. The developers released second beta of Firefox 2 for test and for software development intentions. The beta 2 offer users insight of the new features expected in the final version which is set to release in October.

Along with some substantial change in skin design, the Firefox 2 will warn users when they are visiting a phishing sites that tries to steal username and password. To help users that close tabs accidentally, the browser will contain an archive of recently closed tabs. Another feature to restore the last status of the browser including all windows and tabs after a crash. An included spell checker that will check text entered into forms. New RSS feed capabilities with optimized search is also expected.

All of those features can be achieved in the current version of Firefox by downloading the extensions. You should not use Firefox 2 Beta 2 if you want all of your extensions and plugins to work properly.

Microsoft Announces Zune Music Player

August 28th, 2006

Microsoft has announced that Toshiba will be developing the company’s Zune media player. Experts predict the Microsoft’s Zune to be in direct competition with Apple’s iPod, which currently dominates the music market.

The Federal Communications Commission filing shows that the Zune will have 30-gigabyte storage capacity. A built-in wireless connection will allow users to swap songs, photos, and full albums. However, the filing revealed that Zune users will be able to exchange media through wireless connection as long as they are in close range of each other. The Zune is expected to be released by the end of this year.

Microsoft had previously denied the release of a Music player by Christmas.

Lite-on Unveils External Blu-ray Disc Writer

August 26th, 2006

Lite-on company revealed its newest Blu-ray disc writer, external model, the LX-2B1U. Lite-on has failed to deliver its promised Blu-ray Disc writer, the LH-2B1S, which was to be shipped in August. The LH-2B1S is capable of BD-R and BD-RE media in single and dual-layer forms. You can burn both CD-RW and DVD±R/RW media on the LH-2B1S.

The external Blu-Ray Disc writer, LX-2B1U, will work with single and dual-layer Blu-ray disc along with both BD-R and BD-RE disc. The speed is 2x, the latest for BD drives. The writer will burn DVD±R/RW along with the dual-layer version. Unlike LH-2B1S, the external Blu-ray writer does not have CD-R/RW compatibility. The external drive is featured with USB 2.0 interface and LH-2B1S with a SATA connector. The writer will ship at beginning of 2007.

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars Trailer

August 23rd, 2006

EA Games released a new Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars trailer today. The Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars trailer offers a minute of cinematic footage and actual GDI gameplay footage. You can download the full version trailer through FileShack.

Total of three trailers has been released so far for Command & Conquer 3. Based on the old Tiberium universe, it has new gameplay features and story. Its features include spectator modes, clan management, and voice-over IP. The game will be released in Europe on January 1, 2007. The exact release date is not set for United States.

ABC News Videos Available on iTunes

August 23rd, 2006

iTunes Music Store now allows users to download ABC News videos announced Disney later this Tuesday. The videos include all the ABC News archives such as raw footage and various interviews. To make it easier for users to download, iTunes has divided ABC News content into three groups: “Celebrity Flashback,” “ABC News Specials” and “The Day it Happened.” Users will be charged $1.99 USD per video.

Disney now provides total of six networks on iTunes including ABC News archive, ABC, Disney Channel, Jetix, SOAPnet and ABC Family. The president of ABC News wants to provide consumer the content they want after seeing success from their “Word News” podcasts.