Let me start this one of by saying I am really surprised that Windows 7 didn’t win this test. I mean I shouldn’t be, should I? It’s still Microsoft we’re talking about. But lately Windows 7 has managed to pretty much come ahead of XP and Vista in a bunch of benchmark testing.

XP still rules at multicore performance. It beat both Windows 7 and Vista. Well there’s really no surprise with beating Vista is there? Or should I say that XP beat Vista and Vista 2 at multicore performance? It seems this test has proven that for now, Vista and Windows 7 have performed similarly. Even more surprising is that Vista and Windows 7 are both optimized for multicore performance while XP isn’t. Well what do you know folks, XP is doing good at something it shouldn’t! It sounds like a regular day at those Microsoft Windows plants.

There’s some good news with all that; Windows 7 will overtake XP when we’ll have 16 or 24 cores. Great! Talk to you about that in a few years!

via InfoWorld

Tags: microsoft, Mobile News, Performance, software, vista, Windows 7, xp

Cars can break down at the times we least expect them and apparently you can only wait for a good Samaritan or mechanic to help you out troubleshoot it. But all your troubles are answered with the launching of this new iPhone app, RepairPal, to make sure you get the right attention as far as your car troubles are concerned.

RepairPal is a free, easy-to-use online auto resource that helps consumers save money by providing the most accurate and complete information on auto repair and maintenance available. RepairPal delivers fair repair price estimates, a comprehensive auto shop directory with user reviews, and expert insights from ASE-certified mechanics.

Features:

Save money and time through accurate and unbiased repair estimates. Know if you’re getting a fair price for a repair when you’re at the shop or on the road. RepairPal’s estimates are independent and not affiliated with any automobile manufacturer, dealership, parts provider, or repair facility.

Find a recommended local mechanic no matter where you are, call to make an appointment, and plot an efficient course using the innovative location-based GPS.

Instantly contact roadside assistance with one-touch access to emergency roadside providers including most automobile manufacturer helplines.

Stay safe and get peace of mind before getting behind the wheel

(Source) Press

Tags: appointment, auto repair, car breakdowns, consumers, emergency roadside, iPhone, mechanic, Mobile News, repair estimates, roadside assistance, software

While 2008 was not the best of years for the majorioty of the population, the same could not be said for Mozilla. According to information released by Net Applications, Mozilla’s Firefox now has a full 20.78 percent market share.

Just to put this in perspective, Internet Explorer, which has been out for ages, has a 70% market share, and Apple’s Safari has a mere 7% market share.

Good job Mozilla, now let’s top Microsoft!

Read (vnunet)

Tags: Apple, browser, Firefox, internet explorer, Mozilla, safari, software

I am actually surprised to say this but I’m quite interested in what Windows 7 has to offer. Especially since the first beta has been leaked on BitTorrent. The beta expires on July 1, 2009 but it’s supposed to be pretty stable to play with it for the first half of the year. You should install the beta to see what Microsoft has prepared for the next few years. Sure it wasn’t supposed to arrive in your hands but since it’s already out there, might as well grab it for a test drive. People say the beta is pretty dependable too, one more reason to have it tested right away.

via Gizmodo

Tags: beta 1, microsoft, microsoft, software, Windows 7

Windows XP was supposed to retreat to where OSes go to die. January 31st 2009 was supposed to be the day when Microsoft was shutting down Windows XP sales. Don’t get me wrong people, the deadline still stands but that’s the final day for distributors to order Windows XP OEM licenses. That means any distributor can still order plenty of licenses. Orders will be filled by May 30th.

I guess Microsoft is pretty upset it had to decide not to cancel XP already. Vista won’t be the only Microsoft OS option when purchasing a new PC next year. On the other hand Microsoft will keep making money off the good old XP. They’d have to make at least $300 million in my opinion. That’s how much money they wasted on a crappy campaign that failed to deliver the needed results.

via CNN

Tags: microsoft, OS, software, vista, xp

Sling Media, today announced SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry smartphones will be available for download as part of a public beta beginning Dec. 30, 2008. This is great news for BlackBerry users who have been waiting for this technology to get ported to their platform almost since the inception of Sling Media.

Sling Media will make SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry smartphones available to Slingbox customers in the U.S., Canada and the UK at launch. SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry smartphones will be available as a free download during the public beta period.

The following is a list of BlackBerry smartphones that will be supported at launch.

• BlackBerry Bold
• BlackBerry Curve 8900
• BlackBerry 8820
• BlackBerry Curve 8320
• BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220
• BlackBerry Pearl 8120

For information on SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry smartphones including device support, operator support and system requirements, visit http://www.slingmedia.com/go/blackberry.

SlingPlayer Mobile requires BlackBerry device software 4.5 or greater. To see if your phone meets the minimum requirements, please visit the following URL using your BlackBerry smartphone’s browser: http://mobile.slingmedia.com/go/bbcheck. Sling Media can check your BlackBerry smartphone and let you know if it is supported, if it needs a device software upgrade (available from your carrier), or if it is not supported at this time.

Tags: BlackBerry, Mobile Software, Research In Motion, Sling Media, slingplayer, smartphone, software

Is it a netbook? Is it a laptop? No! It’s Dell’s Inspiron Mini 12.

Previously the Inspiron Mini 12 was a Vista only machine but thanks to a recent update from Dell, that is no longer the case. You can now order the Inspiron Mini 12 with either Ubuntu Linux or Windows XP, a sigh of relief for those looking to order the device.

Starting at just $499, the Ubuntu Linux version of the Mini 12 is the cheapest, with the Windows XP version starting at $549. Of course, with all the added do-dads and what not, you’re sure to be paying above those prices.

Tags: Dell, Laptops, mini 12, netbook, software, ubuntu, windows vista, Windows XP

We knew this was going to happen but we simply didn’t know when! Apple has released Mac OS X 10.5.6 today and everyone running a Mac OS should go for the update. 10.5.6 is said to improve stability, compatibility and of course, security. Apple also released Mac OS X 10.5.6 Server and there are security updates available for Mac OS X 10.4.11 whether client or server.

The Mac OS X 10.5.6 client is just 373MB big and it’s available for download. That’s of course if you’re upgrading for 10.5.5. If you happen to upgrade from an earlier version then you have to download a larger file, the 668MB one.

Mac OS X 10.5.6 server comes as a 469MB file for Macs with 10.5.5 Server installed and as a 883MB file for Macs running on earlier Server versions.

If Tiger is your favorite kitty then go ahead and download Mac OS X 10.4.11 client and server security updates which Apple also launched. The client patch is 71.6MB for PowerPC Macs or 163.2MB for Intel Macs. The server patch is just 133MB for PowerPC Macs and Intel Macs running 10.4.11 Server.

via AppleInsider

Tags: Apple, download, mac os x, software, Update

Well dudes, we have some good news for you. Steve Ballmer won’t be bringing a Zune Phone next month at CES. Brain Seitz, Group Manager of Zune for Microsoft has officially stated that the company will not be bringing the new Zune Phone.

Does it exist? Is it alive and kicking? Why isn’t Microsoft showing it off? Some rumors are even saying that Microsoft will only release the phone in the second half of next year. What do you think about the hole buzz around the Zune phone?

Tags: CES 2009, microsoft, Mobile News, Other Brands, software, Steve Ballmerm, Zune Phone

Google is ready for giving Mozilla a run for that Internet browsing crown. Google’s Chrome has exited beta and you can now enjoy it’s full release. Google says it has gathered 10 million users in 100 days. I might be one of the least impressed ones. I have used the beta but wasn’t totally satisfied. While I am still using Mozilla I will make sure I check out the 15th Google Chrome release. When are we to expect the Mac and Mobile versions?

via Gizmodo

Tags: Chrome, Google, Google, Mobile browser, Mobile News, Mobile Software, software

The latest SRS Labs releases are the iWowAdapter for the iPod and the iWow Premium Software for iTunes available for PC and Mac. Both of them include the SRS audio technology, which will be getting the most out of your audio tracks.

Allen H. Gharapetian, SRS vice president of marketing says:

We are honored that the Consumer Electronics Association has selected SRS Labs for one of the industry’s highest accolades. We are extremely proud of our innovative iWOW family of products and particularly our new iWOW Adaptor for iPod and it is gratifying that the leading consumer electronics organization recognizes how well we have achieved our design goals. Our ongoing research and product development efforts are aimed at providing the most compelling audio experience possible, regardless of the source or playback environment. SRS audio innovations provide listeners with an immersive, natural sound – allowing them to hear their digitally compressed music and video files the way the producers and artists originally intended for them to be heard.

The iWow Apadpter for iPod connects to the iPod’s dock connector and works with a simple button press. You can use it with any iPod model, and it retails at $79.99. The iWow Premium for iTunes plugin is the greatest solution for your PC or Mac system and can be yours for $49.99

And since it’s basically Christmas you can purchase them both and them up under the tree for just $99.99.

via Press

Tags: adaptor, Apple, ipod, iTunes, iwow, MP3 Players, Portable Devices, software

Apple lovers we have some good news for you this Christmas. Appke is said to be finishing work on that new Mac OS X update. Version 10.5.6 will go through the last planned maintenance and security update for this year.

Some developers were packing version 9G55 and it’s reported that there aren’t any noticeable changes from the previous 9G52 version. Mac OS X 10.5.6 Server was reported to be synced with the client software and now it has the same build number. Are these all signs that show that OS X 10.5.6 will be launched shortly? The client software is just 370MB big while the server update is 100MB bigger than the client’s.

The client update will bring you more than 100 bug fixes and enhancements including MobileMe’s automatic syncing. MobileMe syncing is said to be improved on computers connected to networks with medium or high latency, crappy bandwidth or behind firewalls.

Anxious to see what version 10.5.6 is all about? We’ll let you know when it’s officially available.

via AppleInsider

Tags: 10.5.6, Apple, mac, Mobile News, OS X, software, sofware update

In case you are thinking about getting Windows XP PC from Dell, you will have to pay more for it starting today. An older model Windows XP PC will sell for $150 more than it used to sell for. Does this mean you have to give Vista a try? Well why pay $150 more as Vista 2 is around the corner. Might as well get used to Vista and adapt your budget for the future Windows 7.
(more…)

Tags: 7, Dell, microsoft, microsoft, software, vista, windows, xp

Net Applications is a market research firm which came to suspect that Google might working on a new operating system. The company analyzes over 40,000 websites and it monitors information about each computer that visits the site. Nothing spectacular with that! But traffic coming from Google employees appeared to be rather strange. It looks like one third of that traffic has its OS information concealed thus implying the possibility that Google would use a new OS.

We have never seen an OS stripped off the user agent string before. I believe you have to arrange to have that happen, it’s not something we’ve seen before with a proxy server. All I can tell you is there’s a good percentage of the people at Google showing up [at Web pages] with their OS hidden.

What it is exactly we’re going to find out in the future. But it’s likely that Google won’t stop at offering an operating system just for mobile devices. While Microsoft is making shirts it looks like Google has something else in mind.

via internetnews

Tags: Android, Google, Google, microsoft, Mobile Software, OS, software

The Laptop Cop doesn’t have a badge or a gun to get those sneaky bastards that stole your precious laptop. But Laptop Cop will track the your computer and it will let you to connect remotely. You can pinpoint the position with the geo-location feature. The application will use WiFi triangulation technology from Skyhook Wireless so you will be able to call actual cops to the rescue. If that’s not going to be an option simply delete those files which were meant for your eyes only. The application costs just $50 and it’s up for grabs. What do you think? Is it worth it?

via TechCrunch

Tags: application, Laptops, Laptops, Mobile Software, netbooks, security, software

How many iPhone applications have you tried so far? How many did you actually find useful? It looks like the App Store has about 10,000 applications available so far. 24% of those are free and 35% cost just $0.99. The average price for everything else is somewhere around $3.12. 34% are games or entertainment which means 1 in 3 developers is trying to offer you a good time. What iPhone application would you like to see in the Apple’s App Store?

via TechCrunch

Tags: App Store, Apple, Apple, application, iPhone, Mobile News, Other Brands, software

It looks like some restless hackers have managed to install Linux on an iPhone. We’ve seen someone claim he had installed Windows Mobile on an iPhone before and I guess it was a matter of time only for someone to wonder if Linux would work.

Here’s what’s working on the Linux iPhone and what isn’t:

- Framebuffer driver
- Serial driver
- Serial over USB driver
- Interrupts, MMU, clock, etc.

What we have in openiboot (but hasn’t been ported yet):

- Read-only support for the NAND

What we don’t have (yet!):

- Write support for the NAND
- Wireless networking
- Touchscreen
- Sound
- Accelerometer
- Baseband support

Would you trade your Apple OS to Linux for your iPhone?

via linuxoniphone

Tags: Apple, Apple, iPhone, Linux, Mobile Software, software

Got your cash ready for this Black Friday? Got your new MacBook in sight? Well Apple’s discounted Macs are rumored around the Internet although there’s no official Apple announcement. MacMall and Best Buy have special savings whether instant or mail-in rebates. Besides Macs, keep an eye on the Mac Office 2008 which will be sold 75% off. The offers will end Friday at 12:00PM PST so make up your mind fast.

Tags: Apple, Black Friday, Laptops, MacBook, software

Nokia strikes again and this time it’s Italy! Continuing its aggressive launch campaign in the European countries, the Finnish company has released the new online Music Store for its Italian Nokia users. And Nokia’s Music Store could be a huge success! Maybe because the Nokia Music Store contains about 4 million songs from Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Entertainment, Warner Music Group and many independent record labels. Each track costs 1 Euro while the whole album is available for 10 Euro. The service is available for 10 Euro per month and you will get unlimited access.

Andrea Montagnini, Nokia’s Music Manager of Nokia Italy said:

With the launch of the Nokia Music Store in Italy, Nokia aims to make available to all Italian users the music that they want at any moment they want, with all the facilities that mobility permits nowadays.

So if you happen to be in Italy and own a Nokia handsets just access: http://music.nokia.it.

via intomobile

Tags: italy, Mobile News, music store, Nokia, Nokia, software

To all Apple OS X Leopard lovers out there, I’m sure this will make you feel really happy! It seems that, as far as rumors go, that the latest version of OS X, 10.6, the Snow Leopard will be out on the market beginning with the Q1 of 2009. Isn’t that good news?

The chart you see above is a slide from the slideshow presentation at LISA ‘08, in which Hubbard presented it, including the probable release date.

I can hardly wait to see all the new and upgraded features in the new Leopard! We already know about the 64-bit, multi-core support, Open Compute Language and we’re ready for so much more. Stay posted for more details in the future.

Tags: Apple, Leopard, mac os x, Mobile News, software