Tomahawk, the open source alternative to iTunes and more

The other day Luman , a friend sent me a link to where AppStorm published an analysis of Tomahawk, an alternative to open-source iTunes. After the first few minutes my intention was to close the page and forget about the application. But I did not rectify. I downloaded the application and prepared to try it.

The first sensation just install, open the application and add my local music was flowing. Something we already know he has missed as iTunes lately have been adding new features (music manager, audio and movies, local application, music and movies, …)

Tomahawk, interesting music player

iTunes was originally launched in 2001 after a manager and music player. Over the years has gained extra features and this has caused an application to become heavy and often slow, very slow. Especially if our library has a few files.

Tomahawk simplifies all this and focuses on music management and playback. But with great advantage, the ability to make use of streaming music services like Spotify, Groveshark, Last.fm, … and this makes it wins many integers.

This is the great asset and the greatest incentive to consider using Tomahawk. Not only will we be able to manage and listen to music stored locally on our team but we will also have the catalog of other streaming music services. Everything from a single application. However, to some premium services account required.

Also we share what we are hearing on social networks like Twitter, Facebook or messaging clients like Adium. I encourage you to try and carry forth Tomahawk your own conclusions. I personally liked. Right now I Spotify player will stay a while without being used.

KeePass Password Safe 2.19: Manage Passwords

With KeePass Password Safe, it is possible, all the passwords that accumulate over a lifetime, to manage in one central location. All passwords are stored in an encrypted database.

To access this database, you have to remember only one master password. Alternatively, you can access with a special file to the database, which can lead, for example on a USB stick with him.

KeePass

The software is available under an open-source license, so that the security will be reviewed by many eyes. As AES and Twofish encryption mechanisms are used.

In comparison to KeePass Password Safe 2:18 developer a long list of new features in the tool have integrated password manager. Provides a complete overview of the official changelog . They were therefore included a new CSV Importer on track and improves the ability to transform native master key.

WP7: Some improvements to the Facebook app

For one of the most popular applications on the mobile operating system Windows Mobile 7 (WP7), mean is the app for Facebook , will be published shortly, the update to version 2.5 with many improvements.

Feedback and suggestions from the community of users, the developers of the Facebook app for Windows Mobile 7 the claims to be considered in terms of version 2.5 and have it directly into the development.

With the new version of the Facebook app, it will be possible, for example, to delete messages and comments published in this and click on the “Like”. Was also further improved the tagging feature. Therefore, one can now also share the app with the public, with whom one is of where exactly.

The developer of the application have also dealt with the subject message. Thanks to the new version including group messages are supported. In this regard, there is talk of an attractive Metro Design. Furthermore you can click on the links used in the future, to go direct to the respective content can.

To expect when specifically with the release of version 2.5 of the Facebook app for Windows Mobile 7 is not currently seem to be certain. The developers have hinted, however, let that one has already embarked on the final straight.

Robots to the Rescue: DARPA’s looking and no prize

With the disaster scenario last year, DARPA has announced a contest to find the rescuer robot to assist in the rescue efforts more difficult and dangerous.

The Robotics Challenge DARPA already has the foundation published the prize of 2 million dollars for the winning model and a set of conditions for such robots, including having human form to function in environments inhabited (eg climbing stairs and opening doors) be simple enough so that they can be handled by non-expert in robotics, namely exits clear of obstacles, and even fix equipment mounted and driving a car. A real handyman Bricomanía-style!

Precisely autonomous car was the previous DARPA competition, with very accomplished and resulted in a crazy car race without driver which we have spoken at Engadget since 2005 .

645 Pro, is RAW photo with the iPhone?

Much ado about nothing, this could be the alternative title to describe this iPhone application billed as the first to offer a quality and ability to control “unprecedented” to the delight of photographers. 645 PRO camera boasts a professional look because it is by adopting an interface that mimics (in a rough) the operation of SLR cameras.

Its main attraction is the promise of allowing us to squeeze the most quality of our iPhone 4S camera storing pictures in DRAW format, but a quick comparison of two images shot in this format and the traditional JPG shows little or no improvement. And that is when it comes to DRAW, refers to “developed” RAW or RAW processing, ie, an image saved in TIFF without applying any post-processing from the app (not from within the hardware and IOS). Straight Talk, a booby-trap.

When the truth this application not only offers nothing new, but it also lacks many of the most interesting apps and veterans as recommended in the App Store as Camera + . Considering that the latter is currently available at the special price of 0.79 euros, 2.39 euros for 645 PRO makes me suspect that the developer is well aware of the small window of time you have to amass profits before that the comments scare new buyers.

Tim Berners-Lee against mobile applications and network control

These days are being held in Lyon (France), the World Conference of the W3C Web (WWW2012). It was attended Tim Berners-Lee , Director of the agency and “father” of the Web. Tim Berners-Lee held a conference yesterday morning, during which covered various topics. First referred to the applications for smartphones, which recognizes success although critical.

Tim Berners-Lee defends the universality of the Web and is against mobile applications systems such as Android, iPhone OS and Windows Phone, they divide the access to Internet content. Berners-Lee advocates the use of HTML 5 versus closed applications for any user to access content regardless of the platform of your device.

If someone asks you to develop a mobile application, tell him to open a Web application can be just as good and just as sexy. If using HTML5 is not necessary to write an application for each system.
The president of the W3C also charged the diversity of laws that seek to control the Web (ACTA, SOUP , PIPA), and asked developers to invest 10% of their time to ensure the confidentiality of the data of Internet users.

Do the manufacturers of Plan B for Android if Google changes its strategy?

When Google bought Motorola doubt on whether he had saved Android or the opposite , on the one hand would consolidate patents that could help everyone in the war unleashed by Apple and Microsoft, for one who has control of the system becomes one of the manufacturers, which inevitably leads to suspicions of the rest.

So far Google has complied with the time, was not going to benefit Motorola and Android’s approach to open system for many manufacturers would not change. However, rumors become stronger in recent months point to a change of direction by which Google would significantly further the sponsorship of the Nexus and was thinking a more “to Apple”

Why would you do this if Android is a success, has become the number one smartphone platform, add more and more manufacturers and being seen as rivals such as Symbian and fall to some extent, Blackberry? The key should be the proceeds of this strategy, so frugal that some have even suggested that Google would have more for each model for each model IOS that your system ( Asymco ), which is quite debatable . In any case, Android is not a significant source of revenue for Google and is infinitely far from the business they are for Apple iPhone and iPad.

Meanwhile, in the street, Apple became the most successful company in the sector being in the business of selling devices and, in turn, Amazon leading the Android tablet market as a threat. With this scenario, it is not unreasonable at all that Google has a debate on the Android model, and of course, this is a huge threat for many manufacturers who have the first platform: Samsung, Sony Mobile, HTC, Huawei, LG …

The way of alternative system to Android as a plan B

The first thing one thinks for a manufacturer is repeated in the same role and diversify risks how? Taking other system in the portfolio I control, for I make and I already know when to go for it if necessary. Here undoubtedly the main beneficiary of the change of pace from Google – if it occurs – would be Microsoft Windows Phone, today the real alternative to Android for many manufacturers.

In fact LG, Samsung and HTC have a line with Windows and other manufacturers are testing. Now is not the only “desert Coke,” although less well established, we have other options as Tizen Samsung , RIM poses a different model for Blackberry 10 and even some for trying to resurrect apostase great as a WebOS.

“Making an Amazon” or Android become a Taifa kingdom

Discussing Twitter with Angel Jimenez , he argued that the best option for manufacturers is to explore the path opened by Amazon: its own app store and contents, with a fork in controlling the user experience but are consistent with the developments for Android though they can not use the mark or have Google applications.

Many bet on the output of a mobile from Amazon this year and already is slowly ceasing to be the great coat to establish itself as a rival to take into account. However, this strategy has its weaknesses: firstly it prevents you like Amazon to be global, since the contents are local agreements, on the other phone manufacturers have not been characterized by the excellence of its software development, aspect that is reflected in the disaffection of most users for additional layers added to Android.

Somehow, this route is to stop being a pure manufacturer to move to control the entire experience and provide added value which should also be services in the cloud. A key aspect of this approach is that, as has Apple, there would be a “lock-in” users: an application purchased from the Samsung store when you lose a manufacturer … which can be seen as an advantage for the manufacturer but also a disadvantage when bring users were already on Android.

Adding it all, my impression is that this strategy is only available to Samsung and Sony Mobile, the first for his leadership in the market and the second for its integration of content and service experience (Playstation Network). In fact HTC’s latest moves seem to go in that direction, cloud Dropbox delegate and forget their own.

Microsoft Windows Store will expand to thirty-three countries

Microsoft is currently in the final stretch towards the launch of Windows 8. A few days ago, they would display the versions that exist on your operating system and now Windows reports that Store will expand from five to thirty-eight countries in all.

The situation is this: currently, the Consumer Preview, only five countries (France, Germany, India, Japan and the U.S.) have a catalog and only dedicated application developers in these countries may submit applications. Users of other sites access the catalog “Rest of the world”.

This will change in the next “preview release” of Windows Store: They will add more than thirty-three countries from which applications send and catalogs dedicated will take five to twenty-six. A move more than necessary if they want to go to Store Windows application to be populated, which is essential for success.

What is not specified what they mean with the next “preview release”. Will there be a Release Candidate of Windows 8 and will be only one Windows Update Store that will join the Consumer Preview? Remember that it is said that the final version will appear in October .

Windows 8: AMD shows design for ultra-Tablet Book

The semiconductor giant Intel has in the last week of a new reference design for hybrid devices with Windows 8 presented, which should combine the advantages of ultra-Books and Tablets. Now the U.S. technology magazine has wired ‘more details and photos of the “Cove Point” published concept called device.

At the Intel Developer Forum 2012 in Beijing, the company introduced its new ultra-Book Tablet, which was developed under the code name “Letexo”, the first time the public. The system offers a slider design where the display is turned not, but will be pushed up to expose the keyboard and trackpad.

Cove Point Windows 8 Intel reference design

Intel’s “Cove Point” has a touch screen, so that the device used in the closed state as a tablet. The display will close in tablet mode with the keyboard evenly. Through a special bracket, the display can also be used in other positions in order to watch a movie or make entries on the touchscreen.

The operating system uses Intel at “Cove Point” course on Windows 8 Tucked under the hood at the IDF in 2012 for an early prototype shown the new processor “Ivy Bridge” architecture. The display has a diagonal of 12.5 inches, and there are also two USB 3.0 ports and one HDMI output. In addition, volume control and a front camera mounted on the housing.

Intel has already worked by its own account since last year on the reference design for hybrid notebook with Windows 8th Even though none of the major manufacturers have announced a similar system. In the current configuration you go with Intel believes that a device could come on the basis of “Cove Point” at a cost of about $ 1,000 in the trade.

Microsoft updates Office 2011 for Mac Service Pack 2 more with integrating OS X Lion

Microsoft is involved in developing the future version of Office, 15, will represent a significant departure from its predecessors on the Windows platform. But do not forget the Apple platform, with more users: the company has released an update to Office 2011 for Mac offers better integration with OS X Lion.

The update, which places in Office for Mac version 14.2 (Service Pack 2), brings us to PowerPoint support for full screen, a new exchange server synchronization and enhanced database to store emails in Outlook . And speaking of Outlook: application now behaves better with Gmail accounts IMAP improving support for the Google service.

We also have some details that are acknowledged as the option to paste text enriched with special HTML links, such as those of the same iTunes Store. Those of you with the 2011 version of Office for Mac can upgrade for free. For that we need a Mac with OS X Leopard 10.5.8o higher with Service Pack 1 of Office already installed.