With such strong competition from Mozilla and Microsoft, the only thing Opera can do to stay competitive is to innovate. And one has to hand it to them: although it doesn’t have a huge user base in the desktop web browser space, Opera is always one step ahead of the rest, for better or for worse. With version 10.10, Opera has taken its biggest step into the unknown so far, marrying the web browser with the web server. It definitely makes it unique in the world of web browsers, but there’s always the lingering question whether all these new features are really something we need, or is it just confusing the users?With Opera Unite integrated into the browser, the web becomes a read/write affair. You can share photos (10 GB of them), stream music, serve a chat or even an entire web site directly from your browser. At Opera, they have high hopes for the technology. From the official site: “Our devices will evolve. From in-dash computers in trucks to entertainment systems in airplanes, and from a netbook in North Dakota to a phone in North Africa, every device is both a consumer and a provider of content.”The idea is certainly interesting, but the web has been moving in another direction in the past couple of years: the cloud. Instead of having stuff run on your computer, your applications and your data reside in the cloud, with all the resources and the know-how provided by a company like Google. So yes, with Opera Unite, you can host a web site on your own home computer, but you might run into bandwidth issues; with Google Sites, you can easily create a web site without worrying about bandwidth, but you’re at Google’s mercy, so to say. So far, despite possible privacy and security issues, cloud computing has been taking over, and it’s hard to imagine Opera turning the tide in the other direction. Some Unite applications, however, like the media server or the chat, are quite useful and might win over some converts for the Norwegian browser. Other interesting features in the new Opera 10.10 include Opera’s Turbo technology, which speeds up browsing by compressing web pages on Opera’s servers and delivering you the “lite” version, Opera Link, which lets you synchronize data across several computers, a slick new look with a resizable tab bar, and a BitTorrent-enabled download manager. See the full list of features here. Reviews: Google, OperaTags: opera, web browser
For the last month and a half, AT&T and Verizon have beenat war. Verizon launched ads tearing down AT&T’s 3G coverage, AT&T countered with a lawsuit and ads starring Luke Wilson. Hell, even Apple is getting involvedin this messy affair.With the two largest mobile networks making headlines, we thought it would be appropriate to make them the subject of this week’s Web Faceoff, a weekly series where we throw two competitors in the social media or technology space into the boxing ring and have them duke it out for your vote.Last week, we witnessed an epic battle between two other competitors in the mobile space: Google Android and the Apple iPhone. Android shocked us by not only beating the iPhone in our weekly reader vote, but destroyed the app-filled smartphone by over a 2:1 margin.Will AT&T suffer a similar fate to the iPhone, its exclusive carrier in the U.S.? Or will battered network be able to pull off an upset against the the nationa’s largest mobile and wireless network? We hand that decision over to you. You have until 12:00 PM PT on Friday, November 27th to cast your vote. Oh, and don’t forget to let us know how you feel about AT&T and Verizon in the comments.Who would win in a fight: AT&T or Verizon?(surveys)Web Faceoff: Overall ResultsWeek 1:- Mozilla Firefox vs. Google Chrome- WINNER: Firefox, 4600 votes (Chrome: 3310 votes, Tie: 911 votes)Week 2:- Tumblr vs. Posterous- WINNER: Tumblr, 1809 votes (Posterous: 1496 votes, Tie: 256 votes)Week 3:- Pandora vs. Last.fm- WINNER: Last.fm, 1187 votes (Pandora: 1156 votes, Tie: 122 votes)Week 4:- Twitter vs. Facebook- WINNER: Facebook, 2484 votes (Twitter: 2061 votes, Tie: 588 votes)Week 5:- WordPress vs. Typepad- WINNER: WordPress, 2714 votes (Typepad: 267 votes, Tie: 357 votes)Week 6:- Windows 7 vs. Snow Leopard- WINNER: Windows 7, 3632 votes (Snow Leopard: 3278 votes, Tie: 121 votes)Week 7:- TweetDeck vs. Seesmic Desktop- WINNER: TweetDeck, 3294 votes (Seesmic Desktop: 1055 votes, Tie: 260 votes)Week 8:- Microsoft Office vs. Google Docs- WINNER: Microsoft Office, 1365 votes (Google Docs: 994 votes, Tie: 315 votes)Week 9:- Apple iPhone vs. Google Android- WINNER: Google Android, 3323 votes (Apple iPhone: 1494 votes, Tie: 228 votes)Reviews: Android, Chrome, Facebook, Firefox, Google Chrome, Google Docs, Mozilla Firefox, Pandora, Posterous, Seesmic Desktop, Tumblr, TweetDeck, Twitter, TypePad, WordPressTags: att, Google Android, iphone, verizon, web faceoff
If you’re a Firefox user, you may already be familiar with Greasemonkey, an extension that allows users to create scripts that change the display or behavior of web pages. Greasemonkey scripts can come in extremely handy for various purposes, and Leonard Lin has come up with one that adds utility to the default Twitter display for the new retweet function.The user script, which you can download and install here, modifies the avatar display in your Twitter.com timeline to include both the person you’re following’s avatar along with the avatar of the Twitter user they retweeted. The two avatar display makes it more clear at a glance both that the item is a retweet and which of your followers it came from.Here’s how the display appearsafter you install the script. It attempts to solve the issue mentioned by a number of folks who have felt that seeing an unfollowed user’s avatar suddenly appear in their timeline can be somewhat jarring. Although people who primarily use clients to access Twitter won’t be able to get much benefit out of this script, those that have occasion to visit the actual Twitter.com site and who might take delight in customizing the new retweet experience might find this script just the ticket.What do you think, is the script an improvement over the default retweet display?[via Waxy]Reviews: TwitterTags: avatars, Firefox, greasemonkey, retweet, scripts, twitter, user scripts
There have been several high profile hackings of Twitter accounts, with the likes of Britney Spearsand even Barack Obamahaving their accounts compromised (with bizarre tweets sent from them) for at least a few minutes.But what happens when your average NFL football player gets their account hacked? Apparently, not much. And unfortunately for New York Jets Wide Receiver David Clowney, his hacker is going above and beyond what others have done and is cursing and directing insults at fans, as you can see in the screenshot below:The Jets have used their account to inform fansabout what’s going on, but the damage has been ongoing for about three hours now. We’ve also sent a note to Twitter in hopes the issue can be resolved swiftly, but with more public figures continuing to join the service, it’s an indication that “verified accounts” might not yet go quite far enough (though Clowney’s account isn’t officially verified). Reviews: TwitterTags: nfl, sports, twitter
Social media is surely addictive, but can we be more specific? Patrick Moberg gave it a good shot in his Internet Vices cartoon, comparing various social services to their consciousness modifying equivalents both legal and… less than legal. Twitter’s similarity to crack cocaine: “Yuppies do it on their iPhone. Cheap. Short. Fruitless.” YouTube, Facebook, digg, MySpace and more are also suitably parodied with clever illustrations. Now we need some clever new startup to invent a social media hangover cure.Check out all the social media vices and let us know: did Mr. Moberg nail them all? Do you have alternate analogies? See you at the 12-step program![via Waxy]Reviews: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTubeTags: cartoons, digg, facebook, funny, internet, trending, twitter, youtube
Google Chrome is lightning-fast, holds over 3% of the browser market, and will soon become an operating system. Yet while it has several decisive advantages over Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, and other browsers, there is one thing it does not have: extensions.We’ve known that extensions were coming to Chrome since February, but so far only the developer version of Chrome has extensions. Here’s a look at some of our favorites. It now looks like the wait for third party Chrome Extensions is nearing an end. Today, the search behemoth announcedthat it has opened up the Google Chrome extension galleryfor submissions.The process for submission is simple: log in with your Google account, zip your file code and your extension’s icon, submit supplementary info like a description or a YouTube video, and you’re done! The process is automatic for almost every extension: ones that include an NPAPI component (Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface) or content scripts that affect “file://” URLs will require additional information and review.We’re one step closer to extensions within Chrome. This could spark a whole new development ecosystem and spur new competition in the web browser space. At the very least, Chrome wouldn’t lose so badly to Firefox in our weekly reader vote.Reviews: Chrome, Google, YouTubeTags: chrome, Chrome Extensions, Google, google chrome
Update: Facebook has informed us that they’re looking into the problem and will provide more details soon.-A quick check of Twitter confirms it: Facebook is down. The world’s largest social network is having some type of uptime issue that is affecting at least a large swath of users. According to our tests (which involved clicking “refresh” many times), Facebook.com will sometimes load after multiple attempts, but there’s clearly a problem. So it’s not just you: Facebook is indeed down.We’ve put in a request for more information with Facebook to see what’s wrong. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.Reviews: Facebook, TwitterTags: facebook, trending
YouTube and the web have provided a new and powerful medium for video and TV commercials. The great ones can go viral, resulting in millions upon millions of views. MSI’s Acrobuttocks commercial, Microsoft’s MEGAWOOSHand Windows 7 ads, and Evian’s Roller Babiesimmediately come to mind.Out of the thousands of commercials that have gone viral though, the skating Evian babies video has accomplished something none of the others have: it has broken a world record. Last week, the Guinness Book of World Records officially declared Roller Babies the most viewed online advertisement in history.Utilizing data from Nielsen and YouTube, Guinness has concluded that, through November 9th, Evian’s break-dancing infants have racked up a total of 45,166,109 online views worldwide. It’s even more amazing when you realize that this ad campaign was exclusive to YouTube. 45 million views for a critically acclaimed commercial that millions remember and actively discussed worldwide? We think any brand will take those numbers. More companies are realizing the power of social media to spread a message on the cheap. That’s why we think this record’s destined to be broken sooner rather than later. Here’s the commercial if you want to immerse yourself in the sheer awesomeness of dancing babies:[via the YouTube Biz Blog]Reviews: YouTubeTags: babies, guinn, Guinness, Rolelr Babies, skating babies, youtube
Think Twitter’s flattening growthmight lead the company to consider selling out to the likes of Google or Microsoft? Think again. Speaking at an event at Oxford University, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone told reportersthat “We are definitely not interested in selling the company.” Instead, he suggested the microblogging service may eventually eye an initial public offering.Of course, no one ever seems to say publicly that they are trying to sell their company, but much of the talk around Twitter right now seems to be about the impending launch of various revenue models, including advertising and paid accounts. The company also recently saw its first significant revenue via deals with Googleand Microsoftto put tweets in search results. Of the company’s new advertising, Stone said “Everyone’s going to love it. It’s going to be amazing” and added that 2010 would be Twitter’s “revenue year.” Are you buying it, or do you think Twitter sells out in 2010? Share your thoughts in the comments.Reviews: Google, TwitterTags: twitter
Welcome, music fans! Today marks another installment of Free Music Mondayfor your listening pleasure. We’re celebrating the #musicmondaytradition on Twitter with 10 tracks, albums, or playlists from around the web. Last week we ran a special
Photoshop Mobile for the iPhone is one of of our favorite apps, and the Android version, which was released earlier this month, brings all the same non-destructive easy-editing tools to your Android powered device.When it was first released, however, it was only available in the US & Canadian Android Markets. Never fear non-North American Android consumers, you can now download the app from any country that has an Android Market. Just go to Phothosp.com’s Android pageand point your phone at the barcode.In addition to offering the English version of the app to all Android users, the app has also been updated to fix a background application bug, so existing users — go ahead and visit the Android Market or Photoshop.com’s mobile site and update your app.Not familiar with Photoshop.com Mobile? Check out this Android-specific demo video:The cool thing about Photoshop.com is that you can let it interface with Flickr, Facebook, and Photobucket, so edits you make and save on Photoshop.com can also be published to your other photo accounts.What do you think of Photoshop Mobile? Let us know!Reviews: Android, Android Market, Facebook, Flickr, PhotobucketTags: adobe, android, Photoshop Mobile
Anti-virus maker AVG is warningof a new worm spreading on Facebook via user’s walls. According to one of AVG’s bloggers, the worm spreads as users that are already logged into the social network click on the suggestive photo that is being placed on their walls by infected friends.Here’s how it works:“For those unfamiliar with Facebook (is there anyone other than me in that set?) the thumbnail of the worm’s infective page is a link to the page. The worm’s objective, of course, is that others viewing the victim’s wall will click the link, and as they are logged into Facebook, the worm will propagate its link to that victim’s wall, and so on…This worm uses what is technically known as a CSRF (Cross-site Request Forgery, also called XSRF) attack. A sequence of iframes on the exploit page call a sequence of other pages and scripts, eventually resulting in a form submission to Facebook “as if” the victim had submitted a URL for a wall post and clicked on the “Share” button to confirm the post.”While this attack seems to cause more embarrassment than it does damage to your computer or account, it also seems like one of the easier ones to fall for since all it requires is “clicking da button, baby.” The long and short of it seems to be: avoid the booty. Reviews: FacebookTags: facebook, security, trending, viruses
Several weeks ago, Google made some serious waves when it launched Google Maps Navigation for Android. The app made Google an instant player in the GPS market. To add insult to injury, Google made the app free, which has ravaged share prices for Garmin and TomTom.Still, the app was only launched for the Android 2.0 platform, so only newer phones like the Droidcould use Google Maps Navigation. But now the search giant has rectified that situation with the launchof Google Maps Navigation for Android 1.6 (Donut) phones.The upgrade to Google Maps includes most of the basic GPS navigation features: voice guidance, automatic route recalculation, business information, and traffic data, among other features. That’s along with Google Maps and Wikipedia information and, of course, Street View.However, Google Maps Navigation will not run the same on Android 1.6 as it does for Android 2.0. The key thing that’s missing are the “navigate to” voice commands. Still, the app missing a few features is better than not having Google Maps Navigation at all. It’s yet another step towards Google dominating every facet of our lives.Reviews: Android, Google, Google Maps, WikipediaTags: android, Google, Google Android, Google Maps, Google Maps Navigation, gps
Verizon opened up total war against AT&T in October when it unleashed its “There’s a Map for That” ad campaign, slamming AT&T’s 3G coverage using the iPhone commercial catchphrase “there’s a map for that.”Since then, both sides have relentlessly attacked each other. First AT&T sued Verizon, Verizon fired back with holiday attack adsand its own statement. Most recently, AT&T returned fire with its own commercialsstarring Luke Wilson.Caught in the commercial crossfire however has been Apple and the coveted iPhone. After a month and a half of being the whipping boy of Verizon ads, Apple has apparently had enough. Starting tonight, new Apple ads will flood the airwaves that not only tout the iPhone, but the AT&T network (sort of).Apple Isn’t Too Happy…According to WSJ’s AllThingsD, Apple has opted to air two ads during tonight’s prime time programming (think “House”) that focus on the iPhone’s ability to surf the mobile web while still on your call, something that Verizon does not support.The end of each ad is where Apple makes its dig into Verizon, asking “Can your phone and your network do that?” while displaying the AT&T logo. This is the first time we’ve ever heard an Apple ad specifically talk about the AT&T network.Apple needed to respond: Verizon was attacking AT&T by targeting its core strength, which is by far the iPhone. Apple couldn’t let the iPhone’s brand be damaged anymore. However, these ads really aren’t Apple specifically endorsing AT&T, but rather them endorsing the non-CDMA 3G network AT&T employs. Verizon’s CDMA cannot support phone calls + Internet browsing, while the non-CDMA can.Regardless, this entire affair is probably going to get uglier soon, with more commercials and more posturing by all sides. Here are the ads that will air tonight, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal:Reviews: iPhoneTags: apple, att, iphone, verizon
