Facebook launches unified mobile site, announces 250 million mobile users

Facebook has announced that its two mobile sites -- m.facebook.com and touch.facebook.com -- have been unified, bringing a simpler mobile experience to Facebook users. And there are a lot of those -- a quarter billion, according to Facebook.

Smartphone users won't be losing any functionality because of the consolidation. If your phone supported the enhacned features offered by touch.facebook.com, the new site will automatically flip the switch when you visit.

Rolling the sites together helps simplify things for Facebook's developer team. Now changes can be pushed to a single site instead of two separate sites, which makes it easier to ensure that all mobile users receive a nearly identical experience regardless of the device they're using.

The new Facebook mobile can also check to see if your phone supports geolocation. If it doesn't, you won't be seeing much of Facebook Places -- which obviously relies heavily on geolocation. Images can also be optimized on the fly to keep page performance from suffering on less powerful devices. You can see the three different versions of the share button below, courtesy our friends at TechCrunch.

Facebook launches unified mobile site, announces 250 million mobile users originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/01/facebook-launches-unified-mobile-site-announces-250-million-mob/

Cody Copper Craig Dack Damon Bradshaw Danny Chandler

Massachusetts Governor Supports Direct Wine Shipments

Dan from Franklin gave Massachusetts wine enthusiasts a nice little Christmas gift by giving Governor Deval Patrick an opportunity to publicly proclaim his support for direct wine shipments on a radio call-in show Thursday.

During an interview on 96.9 Boston Talks, Patrick said "I would sign that bill if it came" in response to a question about why direct wine shipments haven't become a reality even after appeals were exhausted in early 2010.

The bill he was referring to is House Bill 1029 which was introduced in 2011 but never made it out of committee. The state legislature operates on a 2-year session however so perhaps this publicity is just the nudge needed to force some action on this important-but-non-urgent issue.

At around 35:00 minutes remaining in the audio archive (it's pretty entertaining - I'd recommend giving it a listen when you have a chance) Patrick said "Dan, you're killing me here" when asked why shipments still couldn't happen - as if to say he too has been annoyed that he couldn't ship home wine when visiting California and New York.

Patrick then went on to describe his familiarity with the issue saying he understands the concerns of state retailers and wholesalers as well as concerns about underage access. For Patrick to sign the bill, it needs to be voted out of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional License, and passed by the legislature - which will hopefully happen in 2012.

There's an excellent text summary of the situation by Kyle Cheney of the State House News Service posted on The Boston Herald's website. Thanks to Gary Curtis (@wineblogman on Twitter) for the heads up.

And thanks to Dan from Franklin for raising the awareness of this issue in such an effective way.

If you haven't already, now would be a good time to ping your state representative asking them where they stand on this issue and encourage them to support the bill. Don't know who your legislators are? Use this website to find out.

Want to keep up to date on progress in Massachusetts wine shipping laws?  I'd love it if you subscribed to The Wellesley Wine Press.

Hope you all have a safe, healthy, and very happy holiday season!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/5EB1mDc7pk0/massachusetts-governor-supports-direct.html

SRA INTERNATIONAL STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS SUN MICROSYSTEMS SYBASE

Rex Pickett?s ?Life on Spec?

I have written quite a bit here about Sideways, a rare film that somehow combines wine, humor and middle age crisis into an Academy Award winning package. But until recently I had no idea how close Sideways came from never being made. In a series of posts by author Rex Pickett over at the Stage [...]

Rex Pickett’s “Life on Spec” originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/kRHhDIDHvtM/

Cheryl Burke China Chow Cuth Harrison Denise Richards

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2007/03/and-i-would-like-to-thank-mr.html

Paul Hawkins PEROT SYSTEMS PLANAR SYSTEMS PROGRESS SOFTWARE

Let?s Get Fizzacle!

Sure, bubbly is boss on New Years and even at celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries, but why not add its charming sparkle to silly-sweet St. Valentine?s Day? I can?t think of a lustier toast ? except for maybe Bedrock?s ravishing … Continue reading →

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/lets-get-fizzacle/

Jimmy Button Josh Coppins KEY KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

A random act of generosity at Woodberry Kitchen

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/woodberry_diners_treated_to_di.html

Hans Herrmann Johnny Herbert Mack Hellings Masahiro Hasemi

Avoid Cable Chaos with the AluCube Mini

Just|Mobile has the answer to that tangle of cables you fight with.� The 1.2″ X 0.9″ X� 0.5″ AluCube Mini is made from a single piece of aluminum with a rubber-lined slot to hold your cables.� You can use it as a cable tie, or use the adhesive patch to attach it to your desktop [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/03/30/avoid-cable-chaos-with-the-alucube-mini/

Al Herman Boy Hayje Brian Hart Brian Henton

Flickr adds to sharing options, now easier to share photos across the Web

It sure is nice to see some new developer action over at Flickr. The relatively slow-moving photo-sharing service has just announced a new sharing update, which consists of several new and easy ways to embed or link to your photos:

• Share from Photo page: There's a new sharing option on each and every photo page. When logged off, the button shows only Facebook and Twitter options. But once you log on, you get Tumblr and Blogger too, and can configure other sharing venues as well.
• Share non-public content on Facebook: This doesn't sound like a great idea, but you now can share private photos on Facebook if you're so inclined (and if you trust your privacy settings).

That's the gist of the update; it makes it easier to show off your pretty pictures in a plethora of places.

Flickr adds to sharing options, now easier to share photos across the Web originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/flickr-adds-to-sharing-options-now-easier-to-share-photos-acros/

Paul Hawkins PEROT SYSTEMS PLANAR SYSTEMS PROGRESS SOFTWARE

Verizon's Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX to get Android 4.0 on April 4th, Rezound to follow on the 6th (updated)

Color us surprised to find that Best Buy is so deeply entwined with carrier / OEM plans that it would actually receive a notification that Ice Cream Sandwich is coming to select handsets, but we guess it makes sense to notify those hard-working BB Mobile representatives to what's coming down the pike. Both Android Police and TechnoBuffalo have received separate leaks confirming the news, suggesting that April 4th will be the day that the Motorola Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX get a taste of Android 4.0, and that April 6th will bring the update to HTC's Rezound. Hard to say how the rollout will be staged, but if you're considering one of Verizon's fastest and finest, at least you know when ICS is coming.

Update: Judging from our tip jar, a fair number of you have received emails from Motorola about joining "an early preview of a new software" for the Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx. Coincidence? We think not.

[Thanks, Jason]

Verizon's Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX to get Android 4.0 on April 4th, Rezound to follow on the 6th (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Android Police, Techno Buffalo  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/umn-qiK1aHc/

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Tarzan Ball is a tricky hook-and-pull physics game

So, you're a ball. A Tarzan Ball, to be precise. You've earned the nickname thanks to your astonishing ability to shoot out a lengthy 'vine' (I hope it's a vine) at objects, and then pull yourself towards those objects.

That's a handy ability to have, especially since you've got no legs, no arms, and no other means of transportation. In Tarzan Ball, the rope is everything. But you don't just swing around the screen aimlessly - that wouldn't be much of a game now, would it?

Instead, your goal in life is to collect "targets". Each level has one of these "targets" hidden away somewhere on the screen, usually behind some kind of barrier. Once you navigate close enough to the target, you can shoot your rope at it and just reel it in. That's when you pass the level.

You can't die in this game, but it can still be very frustrating. It's actually one of the tougher games I've posted recently. Still, if you enjoy physics games, this one is quite nicely made.

[This is actually the sequel to IQ Ball, which we covered last year! -Ed]

Tarzan Ball is a tricky hook-and-pull physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/tarzan-ball-is-a-tricky-hook-and-pull-physics-game/

Graham Hill Phil Hill Peter Hirt David Hobbs

Google Drive leaks suggest 5GB free storage, in-app document editing

Mountain View has been leaking Google Drive details like a glacial trickle, but we still have no firm notion of how much free cloud storage it'll bring or just how deeply it'll be integrated with other services. There have been rumors of a Dropbox-like 2GB limit, but now a screenshot purporting to show the beta version's main welcome page points to a healthy 5GB instead. Moreover, Google's Support portal mentions that the Drive app for Android will have document-editing capabilities, which brings us back to the question of whether this is a whole new service, or an add-on to Google Docs or indeed a complete re-branding of Google's documents platform. Regardless, calling it 'Drive' still makes it sound like sat nav.

Google Drive leaks suggest 5GB free storage, in-app document editing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/google-drive-leaks/

JDA SOFTWARE GROUP JDS UNIPHASE Jimmy Button Josh Coppins

Two from Mr. Ridge

I got a message recently from our good friend Christina Donley, Midwest Regional Sales Representative for Ridge Vineyards, telling me that she was in the neighborhood, wanted to check out Gomez at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, and asking if I?d like to join her. I?ve been aware of this Brit band for some years, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/QZzo7s5Pp7U/two-from-mr-ridge

François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill

Weekend reading from the blogs and beyond

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/weekend_reading_from_the_blogs.html

Denise Richards Desiree Dymond SYNTAXBRILLIAN SYNTEL

A ?Zinful? Experience

Last Saturday I was lucky to be able to attend the Zinfandel Festival at Fort Mason in San Francisco. ZAP, The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers celebrates Zinfandel America?s Heritage Grape and is dedicated to preserving the history of Zinfandel through the Heritage Vineyard at UC Davis. It is the largest single varietal tasting [...]

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=36

YAHOO YAHOO XILINX WESTERN DIGITAL

Sony A77 and A65 firmware update v1.05 peps up your laggy dials, improves autofocus

It's no secret that Sony's A77 and A65 SLT cameras have suffered from noticeable lag when it comes to adjusting exposure settings, among other things. For those irked, you'll be pleased to know that the company has just updated both cameras to firmware version 1.05, claiming it'll "sharpen their responses." Specifically, you'll be noticing faster cold startups, quicker response times from the front and rear dials and faster access to images in auto review. That's not all, however, as Sony has also added in-camera shading and chromatic aberration compensation for 11 of its A-mount lenses, which can translate to less time cooking your images in post. Last, but not least, the A77 gets an extra bonus for its autofocus system that improves its abilities in high-contrast environments, while the SAL500F40G 500mm F4 G SSM super-telephoto lens will now focus faster with both shooters. Shutter finger already twitching? Don't delay, you'll find full details in press release after the break and download information at the source link below. Be sure to let us know how it treats you in the comments.

Continue reading Sony A77 and A65 firmware update v1.05 peps up your laggy dials, improves autofocus

Sony A77 and A65 firmware update v1.05 peps up your laggy dials, improves autofocus originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/sony-alpha-a77-a65-firmware-update-v1-05-improves-response-autofocus-shading-chromatic-aberration/

SYMANTEC SYNNEX SYNOPSYS Theo Helfrich

China's Urine-Boiled Eggs Are a Cultural Delicacy I Will Not Try [Food]

If there's one thing the city of Dongyang is famous for, it's the town's local delicacy—Virgin Boy Eggs. No, they aren't the the testicles of children as one might guess, just regular chicken eggs...that have been boiled and steeped in the urine of elementary school students. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/-GJtmefnLp8/chinas-urine+boiled-eggs-are-a-cultural-delicacy

Gary Hocking Ingo Hoffmann Bill Holland NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR

150 carat first all-diamond ring from Swiss jewelry house - Shawish Jewelry

Diamond rings with a bright diamond set on a precious metallic band are quite common, but the world has now got its first all-diamond ring, which means the entire ring is made of diamond without any metallic touch in it anywhere! This is the most exclusive diamond ring the world has ever seen because there [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/iRGrLPQ1_g8/

Damon Bradshaw Danny Chandler Eric Cheney Frederic Bolley

RIM Co-Founder Jim Balsillie Steps Down From Board Ahead Of Grim Earnings [Rim]

In advance of today's earnings call, RIM announced that co-founder Jim Balsillie has left the board of the company he built. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/gp-uJoj2kN0/rim-co+founder-jim-balsillie-steps-down-from-board

EMC ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS ELECTRONIC ARTS

Recipe and Wine Pairing: Sauteed Diver Scallops and Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc

Source: http://tablascreek.typepad.com/tablas/2012/03/recipe-and-wine-pairing-sauteed-diver-scallops-and-esprit-de-beaucastel-blanc-.html

Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke

ASUS rolls out firmware update to UK Transformer Primes

Less than 48 hours after teasing us with promises of upcoming "awesome new features," ASUS is now delivering the refresh to Transformer Primes in the UK. Via its Euro Facebook page, the Taiwanese outfit has announced that all TF201 owners in the United Kingdom can expect to see the OTA update anytime now. With the fresh ICS version, you'll be able to tinker with notifications in the lockscreen, connect to Ethernet via USB (adapter not included) as well as get support for wireless ad hoc mode. Unfortunately, TF101 owners will have to exercise some patience, as ASUS says the update for the elder Transformer is still in the works.

ASUS rolls out firmware update to UK Transformer Primes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/asus-transformer-prime-update-uk/

Ricky Carmichael Roger De Coster Sven Breugelmans Trey Canard

Windows 8 to feature adaptive Aero colorization, get it now on Windows 7

While we've still yet to see anything truly Earth-shattering, the tandem of Rafael Rivera and Paul Thurrott continues to churn out insight about interesting new features they've discovered in Windows 8 milestone 3. The latest discovery is that Aero in Windows 8 will be able to automatically adapt itself to match your current wallpaper image. It's a bit like what Windows 7 already does with your taskbar icons: if a program alert needs your attention, the icon will glow using the predominant color (e.g. Firefox should glow orange).

And yes, you can already make Windows 7 behave this way if you like. Over at CodePlex, there's a little program called Aura that parks itself in your system tray and automatically adjusts your window borders to compliment your wallpaper images. The effect is quite nice, and you can try it out by minimizing your windows and cycling through your theme's wallpapers (right click on your desktop and choose next desktop background).

Windows 8 to feature adaptive Aero colorization, get it now on Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/windows-8-to-feature-adaptive-aero-colorization-get-it-now-on-w/

Cheryl Burke China Chow Cuth Harrison Denise Richards

Draw Something review: The best way to show bad art

Draw Something has been a whirlwind success over the last month, culminating in the purchase of its developer, OMGPOP, by Zynga earlier this week. Draw Something's popularity is really pretty astonishing, considering how simple the game is. If you haven't had a chance to try it out, here's the premise: you draw something, and your friend tries to guess what it is.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/E2aFw3ElhLk/story01.htm

TNS TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES TRANSACTION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTS TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS

Evernote rolls out another update, adds speech-to-text and widget themes to the mix

Evernote has been spending some quality time with their app and giving it lots of love lately. The latest updated has already rolled on out to the Google Play Store and this one isn't just a small bug fix release. It adds quite a few enhancements to the app overall with one of those enhancements being speech-to-text, which is sure to please a lot of users:

• Speech-to-text: we've added speech recognition; as you speak, the app will add your words into the note as though manually typed.
• Widget enhancements: The widget app (downloaded separately) can now be customized (color, buttons, note size), includes a tiny widget, and quick snapshot functionalities.

Stability and bug fixes are listed to make up the rest of the change log for everyone. If you're looking for the download link, you'll find it past the break. Plus, you can grab the stand alone widget app from here, in the Google Play Store.

Source: Evernote

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/vUK3T9rvNHQ/story01.htm

Dido Diora Baird Gene Hartley Hans Herrmann