Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Dell snuggles up to Google Chrome OS, offers customized download for its Mini 10V]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/27/dell-snuggles-up-to-google-chrome-os-offers-customized-downlo/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/27/dell-snuggles-up-to-google-chrome-os-offers-customized-downlo/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/27/dell-snuggles-up-to-google-chrome-os-offers-customized-downlo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In a display of surprising tenacity, Dell have gone ahead and distributed a customized version of Chrome OS for the Dell Mini 10V! Lilputing are reporting that all the necessary hardware support has been added, so in theory you could just whack the Chrome OS image onto a memory stick and boot it up right now!

Mind you, the image is 8GB so this is probably only of interest to enthusiasts -- but hey, it's nice to see a company like Dell catering towards that demographic for once, eh?

You'll need to follow the instructions on the Lilputing article to get the image mounted and ready to go, but it seems simple enough! You could be playing with Chrome OS this afternoon, while nibbling away on cold-turkey sandwiches...

[via Lilputing / Chrome OS image direct download]

Dell snuggles up to Google Chrome OS, offers customized download for its Mini 10V originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrome osChromeOsdellgooglemini 10vMini10vFri, 27 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrome OS security will make Google's ads inescapable]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/25/chrome-os-security-will-make-googles-ads-inescapable/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/25/chrome-os-security-will-make-googles-ads-inescapable/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/25/chrome-os-security-will-make-googles-ads-inescapable/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've all gotten a good look at the very, very early stages of Chrome OS. While there's been plenty of "meh" going around, truth is that it's really much, much too early to pass judgement. It's going to be about a year until we see something finished, after all, and Google has already said things will change quite a bit by that time.

One feature of Chrome OS that has been praised is its "totally new" approach to security. Chrome OS is going to self-heal, we're told. If the OS detects something malicious, a reboot simply restores files to their previous state as if nothing ever happened.

Now, this raises an interesting point. It's Google's OS, so obviously they'll be making the call as to what is or isn't malicious. Suppose they decide that includes anything which interferes with the delivery of Google-powered content. Things like the AdBlock or AdSweep extensions for the Chrome browser, for example.

Continue reading Chrome OS security will make Google's ads inescapable

Chrome OS security will make Google's ads inescapable originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsensechromechrome osChromeOsgoogleOSsecurityWed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's Chrome and Android operating systems will converge sooner rather than later]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/21/googles-chrome-and-android-operating-systems-will-converge-soon/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/21/googles-chrome-and-android-operating-systems-will-converge-soon/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/21/googles-chrome-and-android-operating-systems-will-converge-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Google's co-founder, Sergey Brin, spoke to some reporters yesterday, after the Chrome OS presentation. Citing the common WebKit and Linux code found in both operating systems, he said "Android and Chrome are likely to converge over time."

"We're reaching a perfect storm of converging trends where computers are behaving more like mobile devices, and phones are behaving more like small computers," Google said in a statement responding to questions on if and when the two operating systems would converge.

Sergey's frankness on the matter is a little odd and must be part of a very recent internal about-face, considering Google CEO Eric Schmidt said only a few days ago that there was space for both operating systems and no need for conflict between them.

It would make sense though. Mobile devices are becoming more PC-like. PCs are certainly becoming more mobile (excluding the brick-like gaming laptops of course). With mobile data packages from AT&T, Verizon and other international providers regularly dropping in price, Chrome OS and its fast, easy access to everything in the cloud would make for one, sad, lonely Android.

[via CNET]

Google's Chrome and Android operating systems will converge sooner rather than later originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidchrome OSChromeOscloudmobileSat, 21 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask DLS: Now that you've seen Chrome OS do you still care?]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/ask-dls-now-that-youve-seen-chrome-os-do-you-still-care/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/ask-dls-now-that-youve-seen-chrome-os-do-you-still-care/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/ask-dls-now-that-youve-seen-chrome-os-do-you-still-care/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So Google finally let loose with a real glimpse at Chrome OS today, unveiling it at an event in Mountain View today. It's pretty much what we've thought all along: a bootable browser with an affinity for web apps - especially Google's.

As you'd expect from a "browser OS," Google pretty much admits that Chrome OS isn't really intended for offline use. They see devices running Chrome as a compliment to the existing systems in your home or office. Local storage? That's not really part of the big picture either. Everything you save heads straight for the cloud.

And Google's staunch "no third party apps" stance means that no, you won't be running Firefox on Chrome OS. Google doesn't want other apps playing in their sandbox, it would seem.

Personally, it looks like I'll enjoy playing with Chrome OS but I can't see myself relying on it for day-to-day computing. I'd prefer to at least run a lightweight but fuller-featured linux distribution like xPud or Crunchbang where I have more flexibility.

Ask DLS: Now that you've seen Chrome OS do you still care? originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>google chrome osGoogleChromeOsThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Canonical plans to let the GIMP off his leash in Ubuntu 10.04]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/canonical-plans-to-let-the-gimp-off-his-leash-in-ubuntu-10-04/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/canonical-plans-to-let-the-gimp-off-his-leash-in-ubuntu-10-04/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/canonical-plans-to-let-the-gimp-off-his-leash-in-ubuntu-10-04/#commentsFiled under: ,

"Bring out the GIMP."

"GIMP's sleeping."

"On second thought, let him sleep. We're not gonna be using him anymore anyway."

You heard Zed and Maynard right. It looks as though Canonical's plans for Lucid Lynx don't include the OSS Photoshop alternative.

Prevailing sentiment seems to be that the GIMP is is considered to be a 'professional' application and not necessary for the average user. OS X and Windows systems don't ship with Photoshop, so Ubuntu doesn't really need to provide that level of functionality out-of-the-box. Basic editing duties will likely be handed off to F-Spot, which also includes album management.

GIMP's interface complexity was also considered a strike against it. Ultimately, Canonical is striving for a default set of apps that are simple and straightforward enough for average users. After all, power users can still head to Synaptic or run apt-get from a terminal window to install anything they need.

[via OMG Ubuntu]

Canonical plans to let the GIMP off his leash in Ubuntu 10.04 originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GIMPlucid lynxLucidLynxThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google ChromeOS: It's basically a modified browser that runs web apps]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/google-chromeos-its-basically-a-modified-browser-that-runs-web/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/google-chromeos-its-basically-a-modified-browser-that-runs-web/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/19/google-chromeos-its-basically-a-modified-browser-that-runs-web/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google ChromeOS
Google is holding a press event to talk about the upcoming Google Chrome Operating System. The company is not ready to release the OS yet, and won't actually have a finished product ready for another year. But Google announced that starting today the project is open source, which means that you can download the source code today.

So what exactly is Chrome OS? It's an operating system based on a web browser called... Google Chrome. The idea is that you won't have to (or be able to) install a single application directly on your PC. Rather, all of your apps will be run from the web and all of your data will be stored in the cloud.

That doesn't mean the computer won't be able to play games or interact with USB peripherals. For instance, Google demonstrated that you can plug in a camera and watch videos using a web-based video player or copy files to cloud-based storage. And because Google has been working to give web apps access to your PC's hardware, even video games with 3D graphics should be possible as long as you have a video card that's supported by ChromeOS.

The version of ChromeOS that Google demonstrated today is still a work in progress, and we were told that the user interface could change significantly before the final product is released. But the OS already boots in just 7 seconds, and Google says it takes another 3 seconds to launch applications.

The screenshot above shows an app menu that you can use to launch some web apps. You can create permanent shortcuts to these programs by "pinning" them to the ChromeOS toolbar. See those tiny tabs at the top? Those are pinned tabs.

There will also be persistent "panels" that pop up and stay on top even when you flip between browser tabs. For instance you can bring up a Google Talk panel, a music player, or a notepad.

ChromeOS will be automatically updated each day by connecting to the web and making sure that you have all the latest updates.

What do you think? Are you ready for an OS that's effectively useless without an internet connection? While the operating system stores some data on a local storage partition, Google says it's basically just a user cache area and that data will all be synced with the web. That means if you lose your netbook or buy a new one, you should be able to pick up where you left off without missing a beat.

Stay tuned for details. The news conference is still underway. In the meantime, you can check out a few more photos after the break.

Update: You will be able to perform some tasks while offline. For instance, you can cache movies, music, or eBooks and access them while you're on a plane. But the OS is primarily designed for interacting with web services.

Update 2: If you have absolutely no intention of picking up a machine with Google Chrome OS, there's good news: All of the new features that show up in Chrome OS will be able to work with the Google Chrome browser for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Continue reading Google ChromeOS: It's basically a modified browser that runs web apps

Google ChromeOS: It's basically a modified browser that runs web apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromeosgoogle chromegoogle-chromeGoogleChromeThu, 19 Nov 2009 13:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Google to show off Chrome OS Thursday, release it in 2010]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/17/google-to-show-off-chrome-os-thursday-release-it-in-2010/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/17/google-to-show-off-chrome-os-thursday-release-it-in-2010/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/17/google-to-show-off-chrome-os-thursday-release-it-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google Chrome mockup
Remember that rumor last week about how Google was going to unveil the first beta release of its upcoming Chrome operating system this week? Yeah, it's looking like that's not going to happen. But the company is holding an event Thursday morning to talk about Chrome OS and show some honest-to-goodness demos for the first time so that we can all stop using conceptual mockups with every blog post on the topic.

Google Chrome OS is expected to be available sometime next year, although it's still possible that a beta could be launched before the end of 2009. From what we know, the operating system, which will be initially aimed at netbooks is designed to blur the lines between desktop and cloud by essentially treating an always-open browser as the desktop. For instance, that will make it just as easy to save documents to Google Docs as to your desktop, if not easier.

Google to show off Chrome OS Thursday, release it in 2010 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromeosgoogle-chromegoogle-chrome-opearting-systemTue, 17 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mobile Minute: Palm WebOS 1.3.1 is out!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/16/mobile-minute-palm-webos-1-3-1-is-out/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/16/mobile-minute-palm-webos-1-3-1-is-out/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/16/mobile-minute-palm-webos-1-3-1-is-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you're one of the folks sporting a Palm Pre, it's time to check for updates as you'll want to grab the WebOS 1.3.1 update that dropped over the weekend (at least for Sprint customers in the US).

Whilst there's no new applications, the update (which weighs in at 126MB) packs a tonne of features and improvements that you'll probably want add, including support for Yahoo! as a synchronization account.

That's not all, either, as PreCentral has discovered a list of extra undocumented changes that are included in release - and Facebook have launched an embarrassingly barebones application for the Pre that requires the 1.3.1 update.

If you're elsewhere in the world, the launch of the 1.3.1 update will depend on your carrier - in the UK, where I'm based, O2 are reported to be launching the update towards the end of the month.

[Via Engadget]

Mobile Minute: Palm WebOS 1.3.1 is out! originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Palm-PreWeb OS 1.3.1WebOSWebOs1.3.1Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[All your OS are belong to US... with Apple's new advertising patent!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/16/all-your-os-are-belong-to-us-with-apples-new-advertising-pate/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/16/all-your-os-are-belong-to-us-with-apples-new-advertising-pate/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/16/all-your-os-are-belong-to-us-with-apples-new-advertising-pate/#commentsFiled under: ,

Would you love Apple quite so much if they forced you to jump through hoops, click buttons and answer survey questions at random intervals while listening to music? How about some banner ads as you browse the music and documents on your computer? No?

See, this is the problem: with our every-day activities slowly centralised and usurped by a handful of multinational juggernauts, we are quite simply at their mercy. If Google decide to turn around one day and shut down their services we have no recompense. If Microsoft shut down their messenger service, what then? What if MSN is your only lifeline to your family or friends on the other side of the world?

We invest a lot of faith into just a few large companies: Apple, Microsoft, Google. A lot of damn faith. And it's misplaced and misguided faith. We trust these vast corporations with our life -- or what constitutes our modern-day life at least: our friends, communication and entertainment.

Why do we trust them? Because we're cheap. Because there's no better alternative to Gmail or iTunes or Windows. Money makes the world go around, ladies and gentlemen. It's the very same impulse that drives us to these free services that will eventually make them unwieldy and useless.

Now that these guys have our attention -- now that we have enough invested that it's too late to back out -- you will begin to see the monetization of their services. First it will just be text-only ads. Then banners. Then full video!

Which brings us neatly onto news of Apple's new patent (PDF). As reported by the New York Times, it seems Apple has an ingenious new system that will plaster unskippable commercials onto your Apple devices at an operating-system level. Enjoying the latest episode of Fringe? WHAM! Advert! Just reaching the zenith of Muse's new album? BLAM! Some banal jingle for hemorrhoid cream.

Ominously titled 'Advertisement in Operating System', you can imagine your own nefarious uses for such an invention. Uses as wide-ranging as Flash ads in 'My Computer' to survey questions you have to stop and answer on your iPod when you go for a run.

[via New York Times]

All your OS are belong to US... with Apple's new advertising patent! originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisinginvasivemoneysteve jobsSteveJobsMon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows 7 RTM "improved" activation bypassed by hackers]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/14/windows-7-rtm-improved-activation-bypassed-by-hackers/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/14/windows-7-rtm-improved-activation-bypassed-by-hackers/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/14/windows-7-rtm-improved-activation-bypassed-by-hackers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Earlier this year, Microsoft and Lenovo teamed up to tackle the first Windows 7 activation workaround. It was based upon a leaked OEM volume activation key, and was neutralized fairly quickly.

Things have been fairly quiet for a while. Microsoft's anti-piracy team had cooked up WAT - Windows Activation Technology - in hopes that it would prove more successful at thwarting unlicensed Windows use than its predecessor WGA. And so began the latest round of cat-and-mouse with pirates. "You've got a better activation system? We'll build a better crack," is how the game usually plays out.

It should come as no surprise, then, that there are two new activation bypass tools spreading like wildfire on the Internet. Called RemoveWAT and ChewWGA, the apps provide one-click patching of Windows 7 RTM installations.

Microsoft, of course, has promised a speedy response. Still, once a system is patched and a user shuts off Windows Update, there's really not much Microsoft can do - or is there? Maybe they know something we don't.

[via CNet]

Windows 7 RTM "improved" activation bypassed by hackers originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activationcrackhackwindows 7windows-7Windows7Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Linux Mint 8 RC1 brings a kicked-up Karmic Koala to your desktop]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/13/linux-mint-8-rc1-brings-a-kicked-up-karmic-koala-to-your-desktop/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/13/linux-mint-8-rc1-brings-a-kicked-up-karmic-koala-to-your-desktop/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/13/linux-mint-8-rc1-brings-a-kicked-up-karmic-koala-to-your-desktop/#commentsFiled under: , ,


There's no denying Ubuntu's popularity when it comes to Linux on the desktop. It's also the foundation for a number of other excellent distributions, including one of my favorites - Linux Mint - and I was pleased to see some big news on the Mint blog early this morning.

Linux Mint 8 RC1 has arrived (codenamed Helena), bundling Ubuntu 9.10's updated core with the usual Mint enhancements like a more customizable Mint Menu, enhanced MintUpload (a slick drag-and-drop FTP app) and Updater, and a good selection of preinstalled apps. For more details about what's new, check the official blog post.

Unlike Ubuntu 9.10 - which switched to Empathy as the default IM client - Mint 8 still includes the more popular Pidgin. finding and loading other software in Mint is as about as easy as it gets on Linux since you can install Ubuntu-compatible .debs. Want to try out Google Chrome on Mint? No problem.

One thing to note: if you plan on using Ubuntu PPAs (like the Chromium nightly project), you'll need to first add the PPA to your repositories then edit its details - changing helena to karmic under distribution.

Even though Mint 8 is still an RC, I found it stable, fast, and every bit as easy to use as previous versions.

Linux Mint 8 RC1 brings a kicked-up Karmic Koala to your desktop originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linux mintLinuxMintubuntuFri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RUMOR: Google's Chrome OS arriving next week]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/13/rumor-googles-chrome-os-arriving-next-week/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/13/rumor-googles-chrome-os-arriving-next-week/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/13/rumor-googles-chrome-os-arriving-next-week/#commentsFiled under: ,

It seems a little birdy told TechCrunch that Google's Chrome OS has an early version launching next week. Here at Download Squad, we've been searching for clues about what this new browser-centered OS might look like. Early screenshots proved to be fake, and later ones seemingly depicted the browser component of the OS. Sources inside Google have said there's more to Chrome OS than that.

One thing we DO know is that the browser in Chrome OS will be able to mount drives and function as a system navigation tool. How will hardware support be in these early builds, though? Not good, TechCrunch speculates. Although Google and device manufacturers are on the case writing drivers for your favorite peripherals, don't count on all your devices working with Chrome OS right away.

As to which computers you'll be able to run it on, TechCrunch guesses it'll probably be a small group, including EEE PCs. Google's partners on the project are Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba, but that doesn't mean hardware or software from other companies won't be compatible.

RUMOR: Google's Chrome OS arriving next week originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrome osChromeOsgoogleFri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Go integrates with Chrome and Chrome OS. Native, high-speed add-ons and web apps here we come!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/12/new-go-integrates-with-chrome-and-chrome-os-native-high-speed/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/12/new-go-integrates-with-chrome-and-chrome-os-native-high-speed/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/12/new-go-integrates-with-chrome-and-chrome-os-native-high-speed/#commentsFiled under: ,

You've heard of Chrome. You've heard of Chrome OS. Yesterday I brought you news of Go, Google's new programming language. Now... I bring you news of Native Client -- a tool that lets you run programs inside your web browser: Chrome.

A basic definition of 'Native' would be 'closer to the core of your computer'. Add-ons at the moment are executed at a great distance from your computer's processor. This is for security concerns mostly -- if the code is executed in the browser, it can't get at your core files. You're safe. But it's also slow. That's where Native Client steps in.

Google's Native Client software is special in that it runs at much higher speeds than your usual Firefox or Chrome add-ons. It runs much more like another application on your computer, rather than 'a web app' in the browser. It has security built-in that won't allow developers to program dangerous applications.

But it's not actually new. It's been around for months. What is new is that Go, Google's new language, will integrate fully with Native Client!

This means two very important things: a) web apps will be propelled to a new level of speed and complexity when coded in Go with Native Client and b) you are now looking at how applications in Chrome OS will be developed and run.

When you run programs in Chrome OS they will simply be Native Client web applications. There won't be a difference between Photoshop or Gmail, World of Warcraft or FarmVille -- they'll all be tabs in Chrome.

Everything will be a tab in Chrome.

One Google to rule them all. One browser to find them. One tab to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

[via CNET]

New Go integrates with Chrome and Chrome OS. Native, high-speed add-ons and web apps here we come! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromechrome osChromeOsgogolangnaclnative clientNativeClientThu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[OS X 10.6.2 offers tons of fixes, breaks Atom support again]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/os-x-10-6-2-offers-tons-of-fixes-breaks-atom-support-again/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/os-x-10-6-2-offers-tons-of-fixes-breaks-atom-support-again/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/os-x-10-6-2-offers-tons-of-fixes-breaks-atom-support-again/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This Atom Hackintosh story's been flip-flopping like a dolphin at SeaWorld, but here's the final answer: OS X 10.6.2 is out, and it apparently does not run on machines with Atom CPUs. That's the bad news. The good news is that 10.6.2 offers an absolute smorgasbord of tweaks and fixes. Apple's release notes with one of these OS updates usually include some vague message about improved security and stability, and that's it. This time, there's a laundry list of improvements.

The update, which is around 160MB if you're upgrading from 10.6.1, corrects a few nagging issues in the Finder: Exchange contacts not showing up in Spotlight, flaky menu extras, wonky VPN connections and - this one was a personal peeve of mine - not being able to add photos to Address Book. Also, the problem with opening multiple downloaded files at once (a problem Apple never actually acknowledged) is now fixed. Hooray! The whole list is pretty long, and there's also an extensive list of potential exploits addressed by 10.6.2's security update.

OS X 10.6.2 offers tons of fixes, breaks Atom support again originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebug fixesBugFixesos xos x 10.6.2OsXOsX10.6.2securityTue, 10 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mobile Minute: Open GL and Flash support coming soon to your Blackberry]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/dont-forget-the-blackberry-open-gl-and-flash-support-coming-so/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/dont-forget-the-blackberry-open-gl-and-flash-support-coming-so/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/dont-forget-the-blackberry-open-gl-and-flash-support-coming-so/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Not being pretty and white, nor slender, shiny and fashionable, the BlackBerry devices don't get as much attention as its SoCal sister the iPhone.

But that doesn't mean the clever folks over at RIM aren't busy developing and releasing exciting new technologies for their latest OS 5.0 devices! You just don't hear about them quite so often, which I hope to rectify with this little bit of news. As covered by our clever cousins over at Engadget, you can expect the following additions and changes to soon become available:
  • Open GL ES support -- this is the big one. This is the single change which will see the BlackBerry shift away from the black-straight-edged-suits and more towards the cool-chic-students. The developer kit is already out, so games makers should really get on to that right now...!
  • Extensive Adobe technology support -- not only will we be seeing great Flash support (as covered by Engadget Mobile previously), there will also be more integration with rest of the Adobe Creative Suite.
  • And much more -- the BlackBerry Payment Service, Theme Studio, and Advertising Service will all make an appearance at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010.
These changes should cover all Storm and Curve owners, along with anyone that's lucky enough to own a Storm2!

So what does the iPhone do that the BlackBerry devices don't?

Does RIM really have to release a white-plastic-and-aluminum BlackBerry...?

Mobile Minute: Open GL and Flash support coming soon to your Blackberry originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryflashiphoneopenglesRIMTue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows 7 already bigger than Snow Leopard and Linux combined]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/08/windows-7-already-bigger-than-snow-leopard-and-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/08/windows-7-already-bigger-than-snow-leopard-and-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/08/windows-7-already-bigger-than-snow-leopard-and-linux/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's only been a couple of weeks since Windows 7 was released, but Microsoft's new OS has already captured a larger percentage of the market than Apple's OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and Linux (yes, all of Linux). This doesn't come as a huge surprise, considering how many Windows users were clamoring for Win7 after the flop that is Vista. Microsoft says Windows 7's launch outdid Vista's by 234%. Those brisk sales have already netted Windows a 2% share of the world's OS business, compared to just over 1% for Snow Leopard, and just under 1% for Linux.

Despite the strong sales of Win7, Windows as a whole dropped a quarter of a percentage point in October, with Mac and Linux both making small gains. That quarter of a point hardly matters when you've got 90% of the OS market and your new operating system is being adopted quickly, though.

I expect to see Windows swing back up after Windows 7's been available for a while. I mean, we're talking about an operating system that outsold Harry Potter in the UK. Right now, it's only got a 2% share, compared to 19% for Vista and 70% for XP, but that's after only two weeks. Expect that number to zoom upward by the end of November.

[via Ars Technica]

Windows 7 already bigger than Snow Leopard and Linux combined originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>operating systemOperatingSystemsalesstatswindows 7Windows7Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atom support back in Mac OS X, Hackintosh netbooks not dead after all]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/atom-support-back-in-mac-os-x-hackintosh-netbooks-not-dead-afte/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/atom-support-back-in-mac-os-x-hackintosh-netbooks-not-dead-afte/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/atom-support-back-in-mac-os-x-hackintosh-netbooks-not-dead-afte/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We recently reported some bad news for Hackintosh enthusiasts: Apple's upcoming OS update, OS X 10.6.2, had removed support for Intel Atom processors. None of Apple's hardware uses Atom, but some of the most popular netbooks do, so that news affected a big chunk of the unauthorized OS X installs out there. With the latest developer build of 10.6.2, though, Apple seems to have flip-flopped and reintroduced Atom support.

A couple of possible explanations come to mind: removing Atom support could have been a bug, or it could have been an intentional, yet temporary, measure. On the other hand, maybe flipping the Atom switch back on is temporary. We really don't know, because Apple hasn't commented. The company is notorious for taking measures to keep its OS running exclusive on Macintosh hardware, so this could still go either way. For now, though, enjoy having a netbook with the very latest build of OS X

[via Engadget]

Atom support back in Mac OS X, Hackintosh netbooks not dead after all originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleatomhackintoshintel atomIntelAtomnetbookos x 10.6.2OsX10.6.2Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's new Dashboard sure would tie in nicely to Android, Chrome OS]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/googles-new-dashboard-sure-would-tie-in-nicely-to-android-chro/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/googles-new-dashboard-sure-would-tie-in-nicely-to-android-chro/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/googles-new-dashboard-sure-would-tie-in-nicely-to-android-chro/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When a few blog sites yesterday happened upon Google's YouTube video of the new Dashboard, they moved quickly to pull it down. Though the original video is still MIA, Google made an official announcement of the new feature on their own blog last night and the video above is now ready for public consumption.

While Dashboard is now live -- you can check yours out at https://www.google.com/dashboard -- what's being talked about by most sites is how this move is all about transparency and privacy controls. Heck, even the official post hits on those points: "In an effort to provide you with greater transparency and control over their own data, we've built the Google Dashboard."

The post continues, "Designed to be simple and useful, the Dashboard summarizes data for each product that you use (when signed in to your account) and provides you direct links to control your personal settings."

That's fantastic, and I'm sure it's a big part of the story, but I can't help thinking that there's a tie-in to other Google projects. Perhaps Chrome OS and Android, for example?

Continue reading Google's new Dashboard sure would tie in nicely to Android, Chrome OS

Google's new Dashboard sure would tie in nicely to Android, Chrome OS originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidchromechrome osChromeOsdashboardgoogleThu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to fix a Windows 7 upgrade from Vista that is stuck at 62%]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/how-to-fix-a-windows-7-upgrade-from-vista-that-is-stuck-at-62/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/how-to-fix-a-windows-7-upgrade-from-vista-that-is-stuck-at-62/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/how-to-fix-a-windows-7-upgrade-from-vista-that-is-stuck-at-62/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A number of message boards around the net have been receiving comments from users upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 who have been unable to complete the upgrade install.

Once the installer hits 62% complete, it locks up. You can sit and wait as long as you want, but it's not going anywhere.

The problem occurs when the Windows IPv6 helper service (which allows automatic IPv6 connectivity over a much more common IPv4 network) stops responding . Microsoft has posted a fix to this particular problem, and it's not terribly complicated.
  1. Restart the computer - your system will automatically roll back to Windows Vista.
  2. Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
  3. System Properties will open. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Environment Variables.
  4. Click the New button.
  5. Enter MIG_UPGRADE_IGNORE_PLUGINS into the Variable name field.
  6. Copy the following bold text: iphlpsvcmigplugin.dll and paste it into the Variable value field (or type it manually)
  7. Click OK three times to close the dialog boxes.
  8. Re-launch your Windows 7 Upgrade installer!
Please note that this fix won't help if your install is stuck at some percentage other than 62. Strange but true. This is a specific fix for a very specific issue.

You may also want to run the System Readiness Tool for Vista and Windows 7 before trying the upgrade again. It can detect and correct certain issues that may cause trouble during the process.

How to fix a Windows 7 upgrade from Vista that is stuck at 62% originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>errorfailedfrozenstuckvistawin7windows 7 upgradewindows-7Windows7UpgradeMon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple breaks Atom Hackintoshes with upcoming OS X 10.6.2 update]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/apple-breaks-atom-hackintoshes-with-upcoming-os-x-10-6-2-update/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/apple-breaks-atom-hackintoshes-with-upcoming-os-x-10-6-2-update/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/apple-breaks-atom-hackintoshes-with-upcoming-os-x-10-6-2-update/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to OSXDaily, Apple's next scheduled update to Snow Leopard, OS X 10.6.2, doesn't support Intel Atom processors. This is no problem for anyone on Apple hardware, because no Mac product runs an Atom. If you're on a hacked netbook, though, it looks like this is the end of the line for your OS X updates.

Although it's not confirmed, rumor has it that next update to Apple's previous Leopard OS (10.5.9) will also knock out Atom support. Until a workaround pops up from netbook hacker circles, Atom machines running 10.6.1 and 10.5.8 should probably avoid upgrading. Is Apple sending a message to users running its software on third-party machines? It seems likely, but it also doesn't seem like it will do much to stop determined netbook enthusiasts.

Apple breaks Atom Hackintoshes with upcoming OS X 10.6.2 update originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackintoshintel atomIntelAtomnetbookos xos x 10.6.2OsXOsX10.6.2Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST