The 1394 Trade Association has announced that over two billion FireWire ports have shipped worldwide, which is most impressive for a largely forgotten interface. Going forward, the Association expects to see "steady, stable growth" in 2011 as more products with FireWire S1600 go to market, though a dearth of such devices at CES makes us think you can add the word 'slow' to that projection. Given that the standard's promised 1.6 Gb/s bandwidth is less than a third of the 5 Gb/s offered by USB 3.0 (even with USB's larger overhead, 3.0 still provides a bigger pipe), and the fact that Intel may finally get on board with Superspeed, it may be awhile before FireWire celebrates another such milestone.

[Image source: ScratchWorx]

Continue reading FireWire ships its two billionth port, still not as fast as USB 3.0

FireWire ships its two billionth port, still not as fast as USB 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/firewire-ships-its-two-billionth-port-still-not-as-fast-as-usb/

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What the Zuk is a (very) occasional feature, in which I review software that I have been using for many years, and which is instrumental for my work. These are the first tools I install on every new system, the reliable work-horse applications I turn to for every need. In each installment I will explain what makes this particular program special, and why I find it so vital for my computing experience.

You need a password manager!

If you already use a password manager (such as LastPass), feel free to skip this part. But if you don't currently use one, let me reiterate: you need a password manager.

Saying "safeguarding your identity online is important" is almost like saying "wearing a seat belt is important"; that's quite an understatement to make. There's no lack of incentive: 2010 had some very high-profile security breaches, and it may very well be that your account (or a loved one's account) was impacted.

Continue reading What the Zuk: KeePass is an essential tool for your online security

What the Zuk: KeePass is an essential tool for your online security originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/02/what-the-zuk-keepass-is-an-essential-tool-for-your-online-security/

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So, you found a brand-new Android device under the tree a few days ago. Congratulations! Now what? In this post I'm going to recommend the very best apps to get off on the right foot with Android. If you've been using Android for a while, chances are you know most of these. Still, you might find a hidden gem or two. These are all based on my own use, so while the list is subjective in nature, these are not just shiny apps we've noticed in the market -- they have all been tested in real life for quite some time. Here goes:

Continue reading The 12 best apps for your new Android device

The 12 best apps for your new Android device originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/30/the-12-best-apps-for-your-new-android-device/

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Who doesn't like quality free software? DonationCoder.com is one of our favorite resources for great utilities. You get the software for free, but you're encouraged to donate if you use it and enjoy it.

Ever since 2007, DonationCoder has been running a yearly event called NANY, which stands for New Apps for the New Year.

This year, over 30 different entries have been made, each with its own video screencast. Here are some of the gems you can find on the NANY page:

• Quick Cliq: A fast launcher utility that lets you create links to folders, files, programs, URLs and more. It also provides window management, clipboard manipulation and more.
• TaskDaddy: An application for automating MS Outlook task creation. You give it a single line of input, and it turns it into a complete Outlook task without you having to open Outlook.
• DCDisplay: A comic/magazine viewer, inspired by CDisplay.

As you can see, these are fairly purpose-specific applications, but there are many, each with its own video. Hop on over to the NANY page and see if you can find something you like!

DonationCoder posts results of yearly NANY Event, great new applications originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/11/donationcoder-posts-results-of-yearly-nany-event-great-new-appl/

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A timer is one of those essential applications a phone must have; note that I'm not even saying "smartphone," but just about any phone, even the lowliest S60 Nokia phone, has a very usable timer accessible right from the 'main screen.'

There are a ton of timers available for Android, but most use the stock UI controls and emphasize features like multiple timers, saved presets, and others I don't really need. What I need is a fun, fast way to set up a timer and be able to move on. Tick! fits the bill quite perfectly.

The UI looks kind of like an old six-shooter cylinder. You just turn the big dial around, and the minutes on the slider increment. Once you dial in the duration you want to count down from, just hit the big green 'ON' button in the middle, and the timer starts counting down.

It's accurate down to a single minute. The only flaw I found is that, by default, it uses your phone's ringtone to alert you when the timer is up, so it sounds just like you're getting a phone call. Luckily, this can be changed. Quite a neat little free app, and as usual, you can find the QR code right after the jump.

Continue reading Tick! is a fun, simple timer for Android

Tick! is a fun, simple timer for Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/24/tick-is-a-fun-simple-timer-for-android/

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Over in India, an ancient train engine has been recycled into a large vacuum cleaner, sucking up garbage as it chugs along the tracks between Kurla and Wadala, and CST and Masjid stations. [Indianrlys via RecycleTimes via Inhabitat] More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/UumMqgW9nxk/trainvacuum-cleaner-hybrid-is-more-powerful-than-even-the-most-powerful-dyson

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The leaks suggested that the Verizon iPhone would have have slightly relocated buttons, and it's true -- as you can see in the photo above, the newly revised CDMA antenna notch has pushed the volume and mute controls down a hair from GSM version. That means a lot of cases -- Apple's current bumpers included -- won't fit properly on the Verizon version, although many third-party cases feature an open slot for the buttons that might still work. Either way, we'd bet Apple and third-party manufacturers are scrambling to have compatible cases in stores before the February 10th launch date -- just make sure to check yours first if you're switching from AT&T.

Verizon iPhone has relocated buttons, might require new cases originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/verizon-iphone-has-relocated-buttons-will-require-new-cases/

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Last we heard of the HTC 7 Pro, it was taking a casual stroll through O2 Germany's website, throwing around boasts that it'll be on sale come January 2011. Well, guess what? That promise has just been reiterated by O2's German Twitter stream, which says that the 7 Pro will be on sale next week for an unsubsidized price of €569 ($735). That's available via O2's usual MyHandy payment plan, where you dish out €29 in advance and then pay off the phone in equal monthly payments over two years. We can't imagine HTC leaving the rest of the world sitting idly by, twiddling their QWERTY keyboard-loving thumbs, so look out for this WP7 handset to filter through to your local market some time soon.

[Thanks, Mario]

Continue reading HTC 7 Pro arriving on O2 Germany 'next week,' priced at ?569

HTC 7 Pro arriving on O2 Germany 'next week,' priced at ?569 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/htc-7-pro-arriving-on-o2-germany-next-week-priced-at-569/

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A Youtube user thinks NASA is "the most fascinating, adventurous, epic institution ever devised by human beings". We agree. That same guy thinks NASA has no idea how to promote itself. So he made this commercial for them. It's beautiful. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Q4wUjM29e7Q/the-most-inspirational-unofficial-nasa-commercial-ever

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AMD CEO Dirk Meyer resigns, CFO Seifert takes interim role originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/czcCIGhloqg/

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