Evernote has become something of an indispensable tool for compulsive note takers, a group that will no doubt be happy to hear that a major update to the Mac version of the app has been announced. Evernote 5, as it's called, has been in the works for more than a year according to its developers and will feature a refreshed UI in addition to more than 100 new features.
[Source: TUAW - Click here to read the full story]
We all know those web pages where the only alternative to a site-specific login is a social networking account. That's not very reassuring for anyone skittish about linking their commentary to a Facebook account relatives might see, if they're even willing to join a social network in the first place. Mozilla has been aware of that hesitation long enough to have just released its long-in-development Persona sign-in service as a beta. Although it has the same kind of simple approach to a login as a Facebook or Twitter pop-up window, Persona's emphasis is on privacy: it stops paying attention the moment credentials go through, keeping any diatribes or subscription details from landing in social streams or central databases. Users don't have to play a rousing game of guess-the-username, either, as they just need to sign in with one or more familiar e-mail addresses and a single password. Persona faces an uphill battle in getting web developer adoption when the establishment sign-in services are open to hundreds of millions of internet citizens, but it does have The Times' online crossword section, OpenPhoto and Voost as early poster children -- and anything that lets the privacy-minded join the party has our vote.
[Source: Engadget]
Appearing soon after Zune's end, we've been sent these images of what Microsoft's likely to offer in Xbox Music. Matching those early rumors, it looks like some cloud-linked features will make an appearance in the form of synchronized playlists, while the service will offer a free half-month trial alongside paid subscriptions. Prices are currently set at £8.99 ($15) for a month, while £89.90 ($146) will offer a year's unlimited access to "millions" of tracks, to stream and download across Xbox, Windows, and Windows Phone. The system's UI seems to borrow its looks from Windows' Metro tile-based style, with a verysimilar keyboard that appears to be navigable from your Xbox controller. Take a tour of the gallery below and expect to hear more specifics ahead of the big Windows 8 launch next month.
[Source: Engadget]
Less than a week after seeding the initial build of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1 (build 12B13), Apple has followed up with a new build to developers. The beta, coming in at build number 12B17, has no known issues. Apple asks developers to focus on Active Directory, iCal, Microsoft Exchange in Mail, PAC proxies in Safari, SMB, USB, and WiFi and audio when connected to an Apple Thunderbolt Display.
10.X.1 OS X updates are usually maintenance updates released soon after the initial 10.X.0 release. The short amount of time between developer beta releases, and the small amount of builds between the earlier release and today’s release should point to that. However, the release notes are yet to be included in 10.8.1 seeds. (as shown above).
Earlier this week, Apple seeded a new beta of 10.7.5, a maintenance release for OS X Lion.
[Source: 9to5Mac]
Things, one of the leading task manager apps on Apple's OS X has seen a long-awaited update to version 2.0 today. It brings to a close some five months of public beta testing of a new Cloud syncing feature — which distributes your to-do list across the full range of Apple devices, courtesy of updated iPhone and iPad apps as well. Also on the new features list are Retina display support for the new MacBook Pro, an entirely re-engineered core for "blazing fast Things Cloud performance," visual refinements that include a reduction in window chrome, and an all-new Daily Review section. You'll need to be running OS X 10.6.6 (Snow Leopard) or later to be able to apply this update, which is free for anyone who's already purchased the app.
[Source: The Verge]
Mobile Internet connectivity company Tweakker today releases a free beta version of an Android app aimed at helping the growing number of Android users in over 150 countries on the networks of more than 600 operators to start getting the full enjoyment of their new devices in less than one minute.
The Android app can be downloaded from here. The app solves a growing global problem. According to Google, it activates 350,000 new Android devices every day. Google has also established that Android users are downloading 16.66 million apps per day, 695,000 apps per hour, 11,500 apps per minute, or 193 apps per second.
But, as increasing numbers of Android users take advantage of mobile virtual network operators (MVNO's) budget offerings for smartphones with all-you-can-eat data subscription plans, they struggle to get the right Internet settings to surf the Internet and download apps.
Android users can experience numerous problems in getting online. Examples:
- user's operator is not supported in the Android OS
- user's subscription is not supported in the Android OS
- users change operator and settings are not installed automatically
- users reset their phone and all settings are lost
These problems affect especially mobile users in emerging markets where operators do not have advanced systems that push correct settings to a user's phone. And as complex smartphones spread in these markets, connectivity problems can only increase.
Installing Tweakker's Android application "All operator APNs | Beta" on an Android phone is very simple. Once installed, the app asks the user to select his operator and subscription plan and then connects automatically to Tweakker's internet settings database. The app then installs correct settings on the phone.
It's as simple as that. Tweakker's app is automatic, free and transcends geographical barriers and language, supports over 150 countries, 600 network operators and provides over 700 internet settings.
As you would expect from the world's most innovative Internet connectivity company, the app comes with great graphics, an automatic connection test checker, and corrects any faulty manual set-ups made previously by Android users. In the unlikely event of installation problems, the app will roll back to previously installed settings and Tweakker's staff is available to provide personal support.
Tweakker's app is a fully functional free beta version and will be available for a couple of weeks. Tweakker will then fine tune the app based on feedback and usage data and provide a final version for download from the Android Market. The final app will also support other settings including MMS and email.
"Tweakker's fundamental role in the mobile space is to simplify the process of getting mobile users online and fully enjoying their devices in the shortest timeframe," says Dennis Juul Poulsen, Tweakker's business director. "Every minute counts in the mobile space and this Android app provides mobile users all the functionality of their new phones within one minute."