Ubuntu 8.10 Out Today

Today marks the debut of the latest Ubuntu Desktop Edition. The latest version of the Linux Distro seems to be optimized for the "always online" world of today with the addition of some new features that would finally make Ubuntu, a truly mobile platform.

Jane Silber, COO of Canonical and head of Online Services for Canonical says "Ubuntu 8.10 sees us lay the groundwork for a radically different, more mobile, desktop computing environment over the next two years. Our rapid release cycle means we can deliver the elements to support this future faster, more fully realised, and more attractively packaged than the traditional OS vendors. Ubuntu 8.10 has many features that sign-post how Linux will provide the drive and innovation in desktop computing."

Here's a brief roundup of what's new:

Network Manager
The 8.10 release brings with it 3G Network support. The Network manager, christened Network Manager 0.7 in Ubuntu will help users to easily detect and connect to available 3G networks in range.

This is in case you are away from a wi-fi hotspot and more importantly, while traveling. The release supports a built in internal modem which delivers connectivity when coupled with a bluetooth dongle and a compatible mobile phone. A single interface for auto-detection of popular devices is seen as well.


USB Drive support
Till date, the only methods available to get Ubuntu on to your PC was to get the ISO image to a CD/DVD and install. That has now changed with the increased adoption of high capacity USB drives. Ubuntu 8.10 has a little application that will allow itself to be written to a flash drive. Additionally, it will also allow you to write a modified version of Ubuntu with your data as well --literally carrying your PC within the confines of a flash drive.

Guest Sessions
This is for those users who have friends who ask for a brief stint with your laptop while you are at a meeting or a party -- just for casual browsing or to check their e-mail. Guest sessions will not only enable you to keep your data safe, your friends can use the full system without any interference with your programs or data.

Media Player
Launching one of the Media players bundled with Ubuntu will also enable you to listen to selected content available from the BBC. A cocktail of high quality audio, video and podcasts from the BBC will be "aired". The service is region specific and will beam customized content depending on the area.
With the new version, Ubuntu also aims to gain inroads in to the mainstream computing OS platform. To that effect, In India, Dell is already shipping Ubuntu with its Vostro lineup of laptops.

The latest GNOME 2.24 desktop environment too makes it debut with the Ubuntu 8.10. With it comes a new IM client, a built-in time tracker and the latest edition of Ekiga 3.0 audio conferencing tool. On the hardware side, support for dual monitors has been introduced. All these coupled with an improved file management is bound to turn heads. Head to the Ubuntu website to download.


Via

Techtree Link

Windows 7: Windows Live Essentials

With Windows 7 comes news that it is set to contain fewer bundled applications than either Vista or XP. Microsoft has chosen to “package” all these application under the “Live” branding with which it also hopes to end the confusion surrounding it. You know, the Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger headache.

The package christened “Windows Live Essentials” comprises the following:

· Windows Live Family Safety

· Windows Live Mail

· Windows Live Messenger

· Windows Live Movie Maker

· Windows Live Photo Gallery

· Windows Live Toolbar

· Windows Live Writer

· Microsoft Office Outlook Connector

Most of these applications are already shipping; while some are still in beta. The ultimate aim for Microsoft seems to seamless incorporation of the Windows Live banner for almost all the common tasks you use the Internet currently for. Let me explain with a simple example. While you may have a hotmail e-mail account, you might use Picasa for photos and facebook for social networking. The Live platform aims to unify these services under one banner even if they are non-Microsoft ones (Gmail for example). With recent news regarding the adoption of the OpenID platform by Windows Live, it will soon be possible to integrate all these services to one identity.
On a slightly different note, it was slightly ironical to see the Windows Live Application offering support to other webmail providers (POP and IMAP support) while Microsoft’s own Hotmail still do not support these! This is precisely the reason for the addition of Office Outlook Connector tool, which can read Hotmail e-mails.

Via: ArsTechnica

Techtree Link

Google Earth comes to the iPhone!

After fiddling around with Google maps, you now have the option to "swipe your finger and fly from Peoria to Paris, or anywhere in between" on your iPhone -- as Google puts it. Google has just introduced an iPhone version of its popular Google Earth application. The latest blog post on the Google blog has revealed some of the cool features of the application which is available starting today!

The application looks and feels virtually the same as its PC/Mac counterpart and is also compatible with the iPod touch. Having used it briefly, it is a breeze to use with the familiar finger inputs; pinch or double tap to zoom in and double tap with two fingers to zoom out.

The feature highlights include:
•Tilt function to "adjust" your view to explore mountainous terrain
• Panoramio photo layer and Wikipedia Geo articles enabled by default. (You can turn this and the wikipedia feature off)
•"Location" feature to fly to the current location
• Search functionality.




Available in 18 languages and 22 countries, the application is yours for free. Head to the app store in iTunes to download! Its worth a download even in a 3G-less environment and works pretty well -- although it might take a while to download. 

Techtree Link