Microsoft has today updated their twitter account with the first real shots of a Microsoft retail store under construction. As you can see, it’s not very spectacular, but what is great is the fact that these retail stores are actually coming sooner rather than later.

And, if you look closely, you’ll see that the picture gives us a hint as to what Microsoft’s retail stores will specialize in; Windows 7, Xbox 360, Bing, Microsoft Office and Zune. Perhaps we will see some Windows Mobile touting handsets on sale at these locations as well.

Tags: Cell Phones, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, Mobile Software, Picture, retail store, software, twitter, Windows Mobile

Not confused enough about Windows 7 and its various versions? Good, because Microsoft has recently released the above chart adding even more fuss to the confusion.

As you can see, Microsoft has detailed just about every kind of upgrade you could encouter on October 22nd from Windows XP all the way up to Windows Vista Ultimate. While some versions will allow for a painless upgrade, others will require you to completely wipe your harddrive clean and then install Windows 7.

Annoying? Yes. Confusing? Of course.

via AllThingsDigital

Tags: chart, Desktop PCs, Laptops, microsoft, Mobile Software, software, upgrade, Windows 7

Sure, Opera Mini has been available for Android powered devices for some time now but it wasn’t exactly a full fledged browser. Luckily, the guys over at Appscout have gotten confirmation from Opera Software that they are in fact bringing Opera Mobile, a more feature extensive browser, to the Android at an unconfirmed date.

Opera Mobile promises to bring things such as Flash to the Android platform just lke it has done with Widnows Mobile in the past. We’ll keep you posted as a release date is made clear.

Tags: Android, Cell Phones, flash, Mobile News, Mobile Software, Opera, opera mini, opera mobile, opera software, software, web browser

Google has recently come forth to announce that their Chrome web browser has a new beta out which is now available for Windows users.

This beta has some very key features, first of all, Google says that it is a full 30% faster than the previous version of Chrome making for faster Javascript execution, webpage rendering, you name it. Another major addition is themes which means you will be able to download themes to completely customize the look and feel of Chrome.

To read more about the latest Chrome beta head over to its official blog, here.

Tags: Beta, Chrome, Faster, Google, software, Theme, web browser

Last weekend we were notified that Amazon had put Apple’s OS X version 10.6 (aka Snow Leopard) up for pre-order. Well, it looks like Snow Leopard’s release is even closer than before as Apple has just issued a software update for OS X which will bring the operating system up to version 10.5.8.

Below is the change log for 10.5.8:

• Upgrades Safari to version 4.0.2.
• Improves the accuracy of full history search in Safari 4.
• Resolves an issue in which certain resolutions might not appear in the Display pane in System Preferences.
• Dragging an Aperture image into Automator now invokes an Aperture action instead of incorrectly invoking an iPhoto action.
• Resolves an issue that could prevent importing of large photo and movie files from digital cameras.
• Improves overall Bluetooth reliability with external devices, USB webcams and printers.
• Addresses an issue that could cause extended startup times.
• Improves iCal reliability with MobileMe Sync and CalDav.
• Addresses data reliability issues with iDisk and MobileMe.
• Improves overall reliability with AFP.
• Improves overall reliability with Managed Client.
• Improves compatibility and reliability for joining AirPort networks.
• Improves Sync Service reliability.
• Includes additional RAW image support for several third-party cameras.
• Improves compatibility with some external USB hard drives.
• Includes latest security fixes.

Tags: 10.5.8, Apple, Apple, Desktop PCs, Laptops, Mobile Software, OS X, software, software, Update

Mozilla is hard at work on Firefox 4.0 and have today taken the time to show us a mockup screen shot of the browser’s new interface.

Does the interface look familiar? It should as it bares an uncanny resemblance to that of Google’s Chrome. I’m not complaining as I’ve become quite the fan of Chrome’s interface but Mozilla seems a bit unsure.

Below is a list of positives and negatives of the new UI compiled by Mozilla:

Positives:
- Save Vertical Space
- Efficiency/Remove Visual Complexity – Right now the tabs have to be connected to something. So we are adding an extra visual element for them to connect to.
- Shorter Mouse Distance to Page Controls.
Negatives:
- Breaks Consistency/Familiarity – Moving things confuses existing users.
- Title is MIA – With the space removed from the titlebar you only get the truncated version in the tab.
- Longer Mouse Distance to Tabs – Takes longer to mouse to a tab.
- Lost Space – Sandwiched in between the application icon and the window widgets you lose some space.

So, readers, what are you opinions on Firefox’s new look? Good? Bad? Leave it in the comments.

via Mashable

Tags: 4.0, browser, Chrome, Firefox, Google, Google, internet, Mobile Software, mockup, Mozilla, software

Nokia has decided to go ahead and purchase one more company. This time it’s a German mobile software company called Cellity. Cellity is a small company with only 14 employees which will now be working for Nokia. Cellity’s services and software solutions are focused on managing and syncing contacts between various web services and Nokia will use the team behind Cellity to improve its own social networking capabilities:

Nokia will acquire the Cellity team to strengthen its competencies in the area of social networking

We expect only good things to come out of this and we’d be really interested to know how much Nokia paid for Cellity. Unfortunately that hasn’t been disclosed so far!

via Reuters

Tags: Cellity, Germany, Mobile News, Nokia, Nokia, social networking, software

If you’re not willing to wait for Pre developers to come up with new applications then there’s good news for you. There’s at least a way for you to install and enjoy homebrew applications on Palm’s newest phone. In fact, we have two solutions for you!

You can get a desktop app, the WebOS Quick Install which will work on Mac, PC or Linux and will let your drag and drop applications straight to your Pre.

The other solution is called fileCoaster and it will let you install IPKs straight on the phone. While these ingenious solutions are available out there for now, you should make sure you take advantage of them at once since Palm might decide to somehow block them with a future firmware update!

via precentral

Tags: applications, fileCoaster, Homebrew, Mobile News, Palm, Palm, pre, software, software, WebOS Quick Install

We’ve been hearing about this handset for a long time but it seems RIM has finally decided its time to let the BlackBerry Curve 8520 out of the bag.

This phone will officially feature a 320 x 240 resolution display, 2MP camera with video capture, WiFi, a track pad in place of the iconic track ball and the ability to sync up with Macs right out of the box. This is probably thanks to the Mac version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager that we heard about not too long ago.

Better yet, RIM has also us know that those rumors of the 8520 coming to T-Mobile were true as the phone will officially drop on said carrier August 5th for $129.99.

via Engadget

Tags: 2mp camera, 8520, blackberry curve, blackberry desktop manager, Cell Phones, Gemini, mac, Mobile News, Mobile Software, Research In Motion, software, T-Mobile, track pad, Uncategorized, WiFi

These past two years twitter has really blown up previously, the service was enjoyed primarily by the tech savvy but has now spread to all wakes of life. And, while it’s good to keep track someone’s every move, it has found to be a prominent marketing tool for businesses.

Along comes twitter 101, a comprehensize guide launched for the soul purpose of guiding buisnesses through the whole process.

While you’ll have to check it out for yourself to get the full effect, it basically runs you through what twitter does and how it could benefit your business.

Read (twitter101)

Tags: Accessories, Business, Business, marketing, microblogging, online, seo, software, twitter, twitter 101

Google is proud to announce that their Google Latitude service is now available through Apple’s flagship handset, the iPhone.

Don’t go looking for it on the App Store, however, as Google notified us that it is a web app only. But why? Don’t we already have the Google Maps software preinstalled on our iPhones? Yes, but Apple expressed concern over people potentially thinking Google Latitude is the preinstalled Maps software.

I agree with Apple, we can’t have people unintentionally stalking eachother, right?

Read (Google)

Tags: Apple, Cell Phones, Google, google latitude, GPS, GPS, iPhone, iphone web app, Mobile Software, software

Microsoft has officially announced that their latest operating system, Windows 7, has been shipped to manufacturing.

This means, Windows 7 is done and closer than ever to hitting store shelves. In fact, Gizmodo reports that the finished product is so similar to the RC1 currently out that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Here’s to hoping Microsoft can return Windows to greatness with Windows 7 after the brand had been tarnished with bad Vista publicity.

Tags: Desktop PCs, Laptops, manufacturing, microsoft, netbooks, operating system, rc1, software, windows, Windows 7

It seems that HTC has finally gotten fed up with Windows Mobile as rumors suggest that Android will be powering 50% of all their handsets in 2010.

But before they make the Android switch, HTC will reportedly be running Google’s OS on 30% of their 2009 handsets. I wonder how this is making Microsoft feel.

We’ve already seen the Hero and Click, what’s next?

Read (DigiTimes)

Tags: Android, Cell Phones, Click, Google, Hero, HTC, HTC, microsoft, Mobile News, Mobile Software, rumor, software, Windows Mobile

Google has today announced that they will now give Google Earth users the ability to explore the Moon.

Not only will you be able to see the the Moon in all of its glory but you will be able to thumb through a bunch of historic images and videos and tour landing sites as you listen to narration by actual Apollo astronauts.

Couple that with the ability to view 3D models of spacecrafts that have landed on the moon and being able to zoom in and see the actual footprints of astronauts and you have yourself a very immersive experience.

Included after the break is a full video run down of the new software including how to access it and what features it will contain.

(more…)

Tags: 3d environemnts, astronaut, Desktop PCs, Google, Google Earth, Laptops, moon, software, space

BlackBerrys and Macs haven’t played so well together in the past. However, that is all about to change with RIM recently announcing that their BlackBerry Desktop Manager software will officially be ported to OS X this coming september.

Below is a list of features in the upcoming software:

• Sync your iTunes playlists, calendars, contacts, notes and tasks
• Add/Remove applications
• Update your device when new software becomes available
• Backup and restore your device data with such features like automatically scheduled backups and optional encryption
• Manage multiple devices

iTunes, syncing, huh? We’ve all come to know how Apple reacts when other handset manufacturers use their software. It seems like it will be only a matter of time before Apple will shut out BlackBerrys just like they did with the Palm Pre.

via BGR

Tags: Apple, blackberry desktop manager, Cell Phones, compatibility, Desktop PCs, iTunes, Laptops, Mobile News, Mobile Software, OS X, Palm, Research In Motion, software, syncing

Companies are really releasing all-in-one computers left and right now-a-days, first eMachines, then Dell, now Avaratec. What you see above it Avartec’s 22-inch D1005 all-in-one offering.

Other than its 22-inch display, this computer features a 2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB of RAM, a 320GB harddrive, slot-loading DVD burner, X4500HD GPU, Ethernet, WiFi, Vista Home Premium and a 2MP.

If you’re interested, you could pick up Avaratec’s D1005 all-in-one PC today for $799.

via Engadget

Tags: all-in-one, avaratec, d1005, Desktop PCs, dvd burner, ethernet, intel core 2 duo, microsoft, slot loading, software, vista home premium, WiFi, x4500hd

Get ready for this — Microsoft has just announced that beginning in the fall they will be opening retail locations right next to Apple Stores:

And stay tuned, because we’re going to have some retail stores opened up that are opened up right next door to Apple stores this fall. Stay tuned, just stay tuned.

Apple has a wide array of different products that they have developed in house while Microsoft is mainly a software developer. What exactly will these retail stores hold? Perhaps mobile phones, laptops and desktop PCs from different manufacturers?

Let the war begin!

Read (Gizmodo)

Tags: Apple, Apple, Cell Phones, Hardware, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, Mobile Software, retail locations, software

Ever since Facebook’s birth back in 2004 its been subject to immense growth. Today however, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, is proud to announce that the Facebook community has surpassed a major milestone; 250 million users, that’s a quarter of a billion for you math majors out there.

Zuckerberg comments on the milestone:

As of today, 250 million people are using Facebook to stay updated on what’s happening around them and share with the people in their lives. The rapid pace of our growth is humbling and exciting for us, and it affirms that people everywhere are realizing the power of staying connected to everything they care about on Facebook.

With Facebook now on everything from computers and mobile phones to game consoles and TVs we can only expect this number to continue to grow indefinitly.

via Facebook

Tags: 250 million, Cell Phones, community, Desktop PCs, Facebook, mark zuckerberg, milestone, Mobile News, Mobile Software, social networking, software

Back in June, Apple warned Palm that they would only provide iTunes syncing capabilities for their in-house handsets. This notice was released after Palm announced the ability of their Pre to sync up with Apple’s software.

Well, it looks like that syncing will be no more as iTunes 8.2.1 comes onto the scene as PreThinking has confirmed the feature is no longer there.

How will Palm respond to this? Will they update the Pre’s firmware to once again allow syncing or will they just sit back and accept defeat? We’ll keep you posted.

Tags: Apple, Apple, Cell Phones, iTunes, Mobile News, Mobile Software, MP3 Players, Palm, Palm Pre, Portable Devices, software, Sync

Steve Ballmer has been known to make some rather colorful comments on everything from the iPhone to the Xbox 360’s Project Natal. This time however, Ballmer has kept his cool giving some comments on Google’s recently announced Chrome OS.

When question about the operating system Ballmer was quoted to have said, “I will be respectful, who knows what this thing is? To me, the Chrome OS thing is highly interesting.” Of course, what would a Ballmer comment be without just a dash of hostility? He then went on to say, “I don’t know if they can’t make up their mind or what the problem is over there, but the last time I checked, you don’t need two client operating systems. It’s good to have one.”

But wait Mr. Ballmer, aren’t you the CEO of a company that currently Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows CE and Windows Mobile on the market? No? OK, just checking.

Read (Yahoo!)

Tags: Android, Cell Phones, CEO, Chrome OS, Desktop PCs, Laptops, microsoft, Mobile Software, software, Steve Ballmer, Windows CE, Windows Mobile, windows vista, xp