Isaiah's Tech

It looks like Mozilla is really hard at work on Fennec / Firefox Mobile on Android handsets. Two pictures have popped up today, one above which is Fennec on the Nexus One and below is a picture of it on the Motorola DROID. There's not much left to say here, but I doubt it's stable at this point.

[Boy Genius]

Mozilla's VP has just mentioned that Firefox Mobile could be available on Android by the end of this year. Of course, that's a pretty vague statement since there are still 10 months left in the year. Let's hope they narrow that time frame down to a quarter or something - like Q3?

[Gizmodo]
Picture Source: The Unwired

Mozilla's CEO, John Lilly, has just mentioned that they are working on getting their Fennec (Firefox Mobile) mobile browser onto the Android OS. He went on to mention that it took them this long because "Android was Java, but they just released Android NDK which uses C/C++ and that is what we program in." This is great news and we'll just have to see how Mozilla does with this.

[The Unwired]

We know nothing about the situation right now, but it looks like Firefox is looking to push out an iPhone app. There are rumours going around that it could have something to do with their bookmark syncing service, Weave, but it's confirmed right now. Of course, it could always be Firefox Mobile... or Fennec. We'll see.

[9 to 5 Mac]

If you have a Windows Mobile handset, you can now try out Alpha 3 of Mozilla's Fennec mobile browser. You can download Mozilla's Fennec Alpha 3 if you redirect your mobile browser to tinyurl.com/fennec3. Check out all of the new updates in Fennec Alpha 3 below, courtesy of WMPowerUser. You can also check it out on Brad's blog here and Mozilla's website here.

• Much improved panning/scrolling performance
• Improved start-up time
• Revised theme
• Support for running in full screen
• Numerous bug fixes
• Improved painting performance
• Improved UI polish
• Support for touch sensitive directional pad on HTC devices
• Improved kinetic panning with directional locking
• Ability to scroll frames
• Improved zooming support
• Support for multiple screen sizes

This builds upon the feature set of the previous releases:
Easy navigation to Web content:

• Bookmarks, including tags
• Smart URL bar ("awesome bar")
• Tabbed browsing with thumbnail images
• Integrated Web search – built into the URL bar
• Easy access to multiple search engines
• Built in error console
• Support for add-ons

Web content:

• Maximize content by auto-hiding controls and URL bar
• Zoom in and out

Security:

• Instant Web site ID ("Larry")
• Password manager
• Popup blocker
• Clear private data

Devices services integration:

• Click on a phone number to initiate a call
• JavaScript API to get device location

Also:

• Searchable download manager
• Preferences pane
• Add-ons manager, including ability to directly find and install add-ons

[WMPowerUser]

Mozilla is planning to launch Firefox Mobile / Fennec on the N900 when it ships and Tech Radar got their first look at how it works. Firefox Mobile will have Awesome Bar which you can see above. In Firefox Mobile, there's also add-ons and geo-location support, which will be two great additions. You can take a look at Tech Radar for more information and more images.

[Tech Radar]

Microsoft France's product manager for Windows Mobile, Audrey Zolghadr, has just mentioned that Windows Marketplace will launch with around 600 apps. This is pretty good, seeing how Palm's App Catalog launched and it still has only a few apps available. It'll be a pretty good start if half of these apps are decent. We'll just have to see how it does when it officially launches. On a side note, I can't wait for Windows Mobile 7.

Mozilla has just released Alpha 2 of their browser, Fennec. This time it's available for all Windows Mobile users and not just HTC Touch Pro owners - like Alpha 1. With this version, they improved a couple of things. Check the list below.

Improved panning performance

Newly designed theme

JavaScript error console is now built in

Improved add-on support

Numerous bug fixes

Improved UI polish

[Engadget (Marketplace), Boy Genius (Fennec)]

Mozilla's mobile browser Fennec aka Firefox is now available on Windows Mobile 6 devices. The Alpha 1 version of Fennec improves memory behaviour, has support for add-ons, and "moves the user interface to a CSS-based solution that'll make resolution independence easier." You can download Fennec (Firefox) Alpha 1 here and the release notes are here.

Mozilla has just announced that they are "setting an aggressive code freeze target" for next Wednesday. They also went on to mention that the Firefox 3.5 RC will be available to testers in the first week on June. I can't wait until this officially gets released, but it seems that by then, Google may finally release their Chrome extensions - still wishful thinking though.

[Tech Spot, Engadget]

If you remember a couple of weeks ago, Mozilla renamed their mobile browser, Fennec, to Firefox. Well, around that time, Fennec was available but in a barely usable state. Now, Firefox Mobile has just hit Beta 1 but is actually only available for Nokia's internet tablet PC, the N810. It has add-on support already and actually comes with a couple of extensions, which is a nice bonus. Unfortunately, no mobile phones can even use this browser, but it shouldn't be too long before Mozilla has a working version for handsets. Maybe Mozilla is focusing too much on this mobile browser, hence why we won't see Firefox 3.5 until June.

[Gizmodo, Tilt Mobility]

Kindle 2 was just released and now we head back to the new rumours. The Kindle 3 rumours, that is. Apparently, PVI (Prime View International, the makers of the Kindle's display) has mentioned that the next Kindle will have a larger display and will have "touch functions." The screen may be the size of a regular sheet of paper, which is 8.5 x 11-inches. This would make things more readable. The Kindle 3 is supposedly going to hit shelves by the end of this year. Maybe the next Kindle will have pinch and zoom? Multi-touch functionality? Hello Apple lawsuit.

Mozilla is still currently working on their mobile browser. It is called Mozilla Fennec and has already been released. Unfortunately, it's only in an alpha state right now. Well, the head-honchos over at Mozilla have finally decided to change the name Fennec to something more creative. They've decided to change the name to Firefox (told you it was creative). Yeah. Mozilla Fennec has changed its name to Mozilla Firefox, which is identical to their web browser. Very creative Mozilla. +1.

A new rumour has spawned from the LG camp this time. Apparently, LG may stop producing their own plasmas. They may be leaving the plasma business for good. They'll still be continuing their LCD line-up, but it looks like they may "give up" on plasma TVs. This isn't too surprising after seeing Pioneer and Vizio leave the plasma business earlier this year. I think LCDs are just superior to plasmas. TV makers should also be getting OLED TVs out there, even though it is quite expensive. OLED has more future than plasma does, in my opinion.

Kindle 3 (and picture): http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/27/kindle-3-rumor-with-touchscreen-8-5-x-11-inch-display-returns/
Mozilla Fennec Name Change (and picture): http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Mozilla_Fennec_to_be_Christened_Firefox/551-99456-643.html
LG Leaving The Plasma World (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5161359/lg-might-be-ready-to-give-up-on-plasma-tvs-altogether

This is my 150th post, even though it seems like i just finished writing my 100th post yesterday. Remember the one with Megan Fox? I've also recently got my 1000th view, which got me excited. Even though at least half of my views are from my friends, it's still an accomplishment. Anyways, let's kick it off with some more Miro.

I downloaded Miro this morning in the library and it looks like it's a pretty good service. It works kind of like the iTunes Store, where you can download stuff like Podcasts. The UI is very easy to navigate, even for a first-time Miro user, like myself. You have your left sidebar, which has a bunch of options and your feed headers. Unfortunately, since i don't live in the United States, i can't get any shows (like 'The Office' and 'Family Guy') on my Miro because its streamed off of Hulu. And for me, Hotspot Shield isn't working anymore, so i need to find a new alternative work-around. The quality of the video in Miro is excellent. But, i still think that the HD aspect of it could be improved. I've only watched a couple of videos, so far. Stuff from Onion News and some HD GeekBrief, mainly. I suggest that you try it out for yourselves, it's a decent piece of software and will only improve. Update: I've just gotten my third "Not Responding" message. It seems to occur after the video is finished playing or when i try to close the program.

Mozilla has released a pre-alpha version of their "Fennec" browser to HTC Touch Pro phones and to almost every Windows Mobile phone. It may be running slow and it may be buggy, but that's because it is a pre-alpha version. The Mozilla team has mentioned that they've pulled a lot of its features, including: plug-ins, soft keyboard input, and program or add-on updating. It's free, so if you want to take a risk and try Fennec out, then go right ahead.

Nathan Smith, a Los Angeles musician, has, supposedly, found treasure from the wreckage of the Spanish barquentine on Google Earth. He approached a couple of experts and they told him that this treasure could be worth up to $3 billion USD. But, get this. It may be on someone else's property. This case is actually headed to court, to see who gets the first cracks at this 'treasure'. No one knows for sure if there is treasure because, as of right now, no one has taken the time to dig it up. The court will settle who gets "first dibs" on the treasure.

In October, the Apple MacBook Pro's got the 45nm Penryn processors as an upgrade. Another source is saying that the new MacBook Pro's will have the Core i7 32nm processors in Q4 of this year. The 32nm processor is said to have a 22% performance increase boost over the current 45nm models. The Core i7 processors are part of Intel's Nehalem family.

If you're going to take a flight soon, take the Southwest Airlines. If you're lucky enough, you will get the plane equipped with free Wi-Fi. It will only be free for a while, since it is in beta. The guy in the picture looks like he's using his laptop in an uncomfortable manner. Personally, i don't do that. He should have just pulled the tray out, but i guess he's unique.

Miro 2.0 Download Link: http://www.getmiro.com/download/for-windows/
Miro Logo picture: http://jimmac.musichall.cz/log/?cat=11
Mozilla Fennec (and picture): http://lifehacker.com/5151355/firefox-mobile-available-for-htc-touch-pro-windows-mobile-phones
Man Claims Treasure on Google Earth: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10161265-71.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5
Core i7's On The MacBook Pro In Q4: http://www.macrumors.com/2009/02/11/core-i7-nehalem-based-macbook-pros-possible-in-q4-2009/
Free Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5151340/southwest-airlines-in+flight-wi+fi-free-while-in-beta