I give up. I can’t keep up. Mozilla Firefox has upgraded their browser to version 10.0. Didn’t version 4.0 come out in March of 2011?!

Most of the updates surround the handling of extension auto-updates and the refinements around the Orion code editor/scratchpad with new page and style inspectors, WebGL anti-aliasing and enhancements, CSS3D transforms and an easier thank you lord! method to sync with other browsers including the updated Android Firefox – also at version 10.0 today too which adds multi-touch gestures and other enhancements.

Simply put, this is a slight upgrade on Mozilla’s new 6 week or so upgrade path. But it’s on the path to an updated tab system in version 12 and leaner memory usage. So far, it is a good update for me. Click the bottom links to download your proper version for your desktop. Download via the Android Market for the upgrade for Android based tablets and phones.

[ Links: Firefox 10 PC, Firefox 10 Mac ]

Just 5 months ago, Firefox 4.0 came out. Just 2 days ago, Firefox 6.0 came out. And scarily enough, they’re already testing in the nightly builds version 8.0. Damn Mozilla, slow down. I can’t update and test fast enough!

App Tabs: Take sites you always keep open—like Web mail—off your tab bar and give them a permanent home in your browser.
Organize your Tabs with Panorama: Too many tabs? Reclaim your browser from tab clutter! Panorama lets you drag and drop your tabs into manageable groups that you can organize, name and arrange in a fun and visual way.
Scratchpad: One of our new, built-in developer tools, Scratchpad lets you build and test snippets of JavaScript code right in the browser, saving you time and precious keystrokes.

I’m already a fan of Scratchpad. And so far, it seems like Firefox 6.0 is a tad bit faster and also seems to use less RAM.

[ Links: Firefox 6.0 Download, Features ]

Looks like the guys over at Neowin must have been refreshing the nightly builds like mad (I know I have) but Mozilla has released the final build of Firefox 4.0 for Linux, OS X and Windows today. Boasting a faster rendering speed, an improved UI and so far in my personal usage lesser memory usage, it seems like the next round of browser wars has already started – Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 was released last week and Opera 11.10 was just released a few days ago.

Firefox 4.0 for Windows
Firefox 4.0 for Linux (x86, x64)
Firefox 4.0 for Mac

Mozilla has yet to update their website, but the install so far has been good!

[ Links: Neowin, Mozilla Firefox ]

Verizon today unveiled more detail about their LTE wireless broadband launch, announcing that they’ll be offering the 5-12 Mbps service in 38 markets and 60 airports starting December 5. Most importantly, Verizon finally unveiled their pricing for the new service, which after a year filled with endless hints by executives about wanting to try something new winds up being somewhat underwhelming, traditional, and expensive.

The base pricing for LTE laptop connectivity via USB modem (there will be no smartphones at launch) is significantly more expensive than the 3G pricing they unveiled in October, though the caps are obviously higher. Verizon’s current EVDO USB modem plans come in two flavors: $40 for 250MB of usage and $60 for 5GB of usage. Verizon’s LTE pricing will now be $50 for 5GB of usage, or $80 for 10 GB of usage, with $10 per each additional GB. Sayeth big red:

Verizon Wireless customers can choose from two 4G LTE Mobile Broadband data plans: $50 monthly access for 5 GB monthly allowance or $80 monthly access for 10 GB monthly allowance, both with $10/GB overage. For laptop connectivity, two 4G LTE USB modems will be initially available: the LG VL600 is available at launch and the Pantech UML290 will be available soon, each $99.99 after $50 rebate with a new two-year agreement. Both USB modems provide backward-compatibility with Verizon Wireless’ 3G network. If laptop users travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, they will automatically stay connected on the company’s 3G network.

It’s interesting to note there’s not even really an entry level LTE plan (say $25 for a gig of use) after literally dozens of Verizon executive comments claiming usage-based pricing was going to be the future. We’ll assume this pricing may evolve as the company begins offering LTE smartphones, which Verizon today announced will arrive sometime in “mid-2011″. Verizon also again today confirmed these devices will initially use 3G/CDMA for voice until LTE voice standards are hashed out. As an added aside: the service will only support MS Windows based PC’s at launch.

Link to the original article…

LaCie and Philippe Starck have hooked up yet again for an iconic and smooth looking combo of aluminum, what could pass for mercury (not the planet) and an ultra-fast USB 3.0 connection.

The LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 – simply connect it into any PC or Mac for a seamless plug-and-play experience.

Encased in 2mm of sturdy aluminum, the LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0 is one the most resistant choices for consumer hard drives on the market. The aluminum offers resilience from blunders, improved heat dissipation, and is fully recyclable.

The LaCie Starck Mobile Drive USB 3.0 at 320gb priced at $69.99 and the 500gb at $109.99.

[ Links: Philippe Starck Mobile Drive USB 3.0 ]

Hitachi-LG Data Storage Inc. (HLDS), a global leader and technology innovator in optical disc storage (ODD) revealed to introduce SAT 6.0Gbps based 2nd Generation, ‘Hybrid Drive’, as a successive product to ODD Hybrid Drive 1st Generation introduced in Taiwan last June which was loaded with SSD(Solid State Drive) for the first time in the world, at CEATEC 2010 held in Makuhari Messe, Japan, from October 5 to 9.

The 2nd Generation, ‘Hybrid Drive’, is an innovative product equipped with SATA III(6.0Gbps) based improved speed, and a comprehensive SATA port, by accumulating ODD & SSD circuits in a integrated PCB. This is a perfect reincarnation of the previous ODD structure, and users of all PC products can utilize HDD, ODD, SDD at the same time without having to change the entire system, by just exchanging the previous ODD.

Differentiated functions have been added to the Hybrid Drive such as the Green Playback; a low electricity- Title playing technology, and a comparison of real functions between Hybrid Drive applied products and non applied products of AIO(All-in-one) PC, Mini PC, HTPC, Gaming/Premium Notebook, will be introduced at this CEATEC 2010.

PC News Media K-Bench(www.kbench.com) and Editor of Betanews(www.betanews.net), who recently progressed Benchmark of the 1st Generation Hybrid Drive, foresaw that 256 GB supported 2nd Generation, ‘Hybrid drive’, will play big roles in the distribution of SSD, as SSD will be seen as a tool for driving OS & Application through Hybrid Drive, such as for decreasing PC Booting time and Performance increase, no longer as just a simple saving apparatus.

To support this, according to the Benchmark progressed by PC News Media ‘Betanews’, there seems to have been discrete differences between 1st Generation ‘Hybrid Drive’ and general Hard Disks, in PC System( Windows 7 64bit Ultimate Edition) Booting time where each respectively recorded 16 sec and 29 sec, in Starcraft 2 Battlenet Loading time where each respectively recorded 20 sec, 38 sec, etc. (PC System Specification : 1st Generation ‘Hybrid Drive’ and 2.5inch 5,400RPM 320GB Hard Disk each on Intel Celeron Core SU2300, DDR3 4GB Memory , ION Based ITX System) In addition, relations explained that results will become more dramatic once various Applications are installed in the PC.

[ Link: HLDS, Aving News ]

iroha Note is a software solution that allows you to create notes to study from, or to organize your information. It is simple to use, but at the same time it is a powerful tool for your note-taking needs. In addition to taking notes, iroha Note can also be used as a simple mind mapping utility.

Made with Adobe AIR, iroha Note will run on Windows, Mac and Linux – as long as you’re running the latest Adobe AIR runtime. It will link up thoughts and notes of different types – links, pictures, notes and website URL’s – all in a real attractive package.

Price? Free.

[ Links: iroha Note ]

Sticking out only 6mm from the connected device, the LaCie MosKeyto, pronounced like that pesky blood-sucking bug, is very small indeed.

Today LaCie spawns a new breed of USB key – the LaCie MosKeyto, an ultra-small flash drive that’s anything but pesky. Joining LaCie’s line-up of award-winning USB keys, MosKeyto ups the ante for power, portability and ease of use.

LaCie MosKeyto measures less than 20mm and weighs 10 grams, making it one of the smallest USB keys on the market. Offering capacities up to 16GB, you’ll be pleasantly amazed at how many bytes you can get from such a tiny MosKeyto.

The stealthy MosKeyto becomes nearly invisible when plugged into your computer, and can even travel with the computer in a protective sleeve or briefcase – just plug it, and forget it. Because it lies flush against your device, there is no risk of damage to the port, computer or key if the drive is knocked or bumped. Additionally, if it’s in your laptop, you won’t lose it.

Offered presently in 4gb and 8gb sizes at $17.99 and $27.99 respectively, this ultra-small USB flash drive definitely won’t get snagged while you’re moving around with your laptop.

[ Links: LaCie, LaCie MosKeyto ]

Televisions, computers, DVD players, VCR players, video game consoles, compact disc players, external hard drives, stereo components, speakers… they all just end up creating a bunch of ugly wires that some people try to stash behind stands, hide under cases or wrap up in cable wraps and it can get downright frustrating. To add to the wire count, imagine wanting to play your downloaded content streamed over to your television or stereo. Seems like Wisair has come to the rescue.

The Wisair Wireless USB Audio/Video Adapter Set — an easy-to-use USB adapter system that allows home and office users to “cut the cord” and wirelessly stream content from their laptop—including pictures, movies, presentations and online media—to any HDTV, projector or monitor without the tangled mess of cords and complicated setup.

Featuring HDMI video/audio support and VGA connectivity with stereo audio support through a 3.5 mm audio jack, the Wisair Wireless USB A/V Adapter Set delivers 32-bit True Color depth and up to 1400×1050 screen resolution for high-quality images. With 48 kHz, 16-bit stereo sound and HD video resolution up to 720p, movies (Blu-ray excluded) and videos look sharp and sound crystal clear for an optimum viewing experience.

Although limited to only 720p and excluding Blu-Ray, invariably due to needed bandwidth, the Wisair Wireless USB Audio/Video dongle system seems to allow for ample room for downloaded music, movies and other streamed media that normally resides on your PC for viewing and enjoyment in your living room setting without the need or use of wires.

By now it should be known that I truly hate wires and avoid them at all costs – this definitely probably warrants further research. I’m not sure about the lack of Blu-ray support – but it still looks interesting nonetheless. Priced from $129 – $149 at various online retailers, the Wisair Wireless USB dongle will hopefully remedy having wires run from your PC to your TV.

[ Links: Wisair ]

The folks over at Tweaktown have reviewed the Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 PC gaming headphones and came away rather impressed.

The Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 channel headset offers some really exciting new ideas about how surround information can be delivered. Developing Psykowave proprietary technology as the flagship feature truly makes this headset something quite unique. Plus, the added design feature of building the speakers into the top of the headband chassis allows for two large subwoofers with a vented ear enclosure, which is another key part of making this system work the way it does.

Adding an external amplifier really allows all of the speakers to reach their full potential and is also quite an attractive unit in its own right. The included mic is also a bonus for those users who seem to swear by them when they play games.

Priced at $299.99, these are definitely not your normal headphones but will keep you from disturbing your loved ones and neighbors while delivering a great surround sound experience.

[ Links: Tweaktown Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 PC Gaming Headphones Review, Psyko Audio Labs ]

It comes out tomorrow, July 27th… BUY IT!!

Ok, fanboy love aside, the original StarCraft is a killer game. It sold 12 million copies in the 12 years since its original release. It brought real time strategy to folks that normally wouldn’t have liked real-time strategy (myself included) and the long-awaited sequel comes out July 27th.

Some other parts that you might not know is that this StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty cost over $100 million dollars in development to produce. That’s right… it’s more expensive than Polyphony’s Gran Turismo which (to date) has cost over $60 million so far to develop.

Perhaps you can celebrate owning StarCraft II alongside National Scotch Day.

[ Links: StarCraft II ]

Adesso, one of my favorite keyboard makers has released their newest multimedia keyboard the AKB-520. The AKB-520 incorporates an USB hub, a memory card reader alongside some multimedia keys to ensure easy control of your Windows Media Player or Apple iTunes and stuffs all of that into a stylish case.

Equipped with 104 keys, the AKB-520 is a sleek, cost-effective and ergonomic keyboard that provides essential functions for various types of users. In addition to the built-in data card reader and two USB ports, this innovative keyboard compliments users of digital cameras, multimedia players and other portable devices.

The AKB-520 features the following:

• Built-in data card reader/writer for SD/MMC/MS Pro, so users can easily upload files and pictures to PCs
• Two additional USB ports, which conveniently add bus powered devices, such as a USB flash drive, Web cam and mouse
• Embedded multimedia and internet hotkeys, allowing users to control home entertainment functions directly on the keyboard
• Newly designed slim and stylish keyboard, offering improved tactile feel and accurate key response
• 12 hotkeys to boost productivity with direct access to the internet, home, favorites and multimedia controls

Despite not saying that the keyboard is Apple OS X compatible, I’ve personally found that they are indeed fully compatible and the Windows Key becomes the Apple/Option Key in OS X.

The Adesso AKB-520 can be purchased at your normal eRetailers like Amazon, Tigerdirect or PC Mall for instance, and retails normally for $34.99.

[ Links: Adesso, Adesso AKB-520 ] [ Related: Adesso WKB-4000BB, Adesso WKB-3100 Review ]