Mozilla working on Firefox-based alternative to ChromeOS

Mozilla has launched a new project called “Boot to Gecko” that aims to create an alternative toChrome OS that is based on Mozilla’s own rendering engine Gecko.

Why would Chrome OS need a competitor? Since has essentially become the new Window-Internet Explorer combination that Mozilla has been working to break (with much success) since its inception. Chrome OS as it is only runs Google Chrome, and does not support installing any third party browsers, or in fact any native apps at all. This isn’t as much of a problem since any standards-compliant browser will render content the same; however Google Chrome also includes some APIs that only web apps installed through Google’s Chrome Web Store can use. In essence currently Chrome OS devices run a single OS, a single browser, use a single store, all by a single company. Again, this in itself isn’t wrong, since both Chromium OS and Chromium are open, and one need not use the Chrome Web Store for using web applications on Chrome OS. Alternatives need to be created, and that what Mozilla is looking at.

Mozilla’s Boot to Gecko project is still in its infancy, having been unveiled very recently, however there are already some goals that Mozilla has defined that it will strive for (according to theMozillaWiki page):

• New web APIs: build prototype APIs for exposing device and OS capabilities to content (Telephony, SMS, Camera, USB, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.)
• Privilege model: making sure that these new capabilities are safely exposed to pages and applications
• Booting: prototype a low-level substrate for an Android-compatible device
• Applications: choose and port or build apps to prove out and prioritize the power of the system.

Mozilla does not want to allow native applications to run in this OS, but instead wants to “find the gaps that keep web developers from being able to build apps that are --- in every way --- the equals of native apps built for the iPhone, Android, and WP7.”

As a base, Mozilla will use core Android Linux stack (without their Java stack and APIs) since that is seeing great support from different hardware vendors, and will likely run on many more platforms that Mozilla is targeting.

As expected Mozilla will work in the open, with the source code available at all time in their GitHub repository. Mozilla’s aims are to take any additions they make to the appropriate standards group, such that any other projects similar to Mozilla’s Boot to Gecko project could use the same and be perfectly compatible.

As we have said before we feel Firefox is a much better base as an OS, than Chrome, thanks to its unlimited extensibility. The bad news is that it is unlikely that this extensibility will be exposed in Mozilla’s new OS; the good news is, it won’t need to be, sine Mozilla intends similar capabilities to be available to all web apps on all browsers.

Difficult time ahead for RIM as it axes 2,000 jobs

As it struggles to maintain the popularity of its BlackBerry smartphones, Research in Motionannounced on Monday that it was going to axe nearly 2,000 employees, about 11 per cent of its workforce, this week. The massive layoff comes days after RIM made the announcement regarding the job cuts. RIM had then said that the layoffs were needed to improve the financial situation of the company.

Apart from the layoff, the BlackBerry makers have announced a major shuffle in the management. Thorsten Heins is the new COO, Product and Sale, while Patrick Spence is taking on the role of Managing Director, Global Sales and Regional Marketing.

“As part of this broad effort, RIM is reducing its global workforce across all functions by approximately 2,000 employees. RIM intends to notify impacted employees in North America and certain other countries this week,” RIM says in a press release.

RIM says the layoffs were part of its cost optimisation programme, which is focussed on “eliminating redundancies and reallocating resources to focus on areas that offer the highest growth opportunities and alignment with RIM’s strategic objectives”. The company says that the reduction in workforce was important for its long-term survival and success.

“The remainder of the global workforce reductions will occur at a later date subject to local laws and regulations. All impacted employees will receive severance packages and outplacement support,”

According to estimates, the entire restructuring process is likely to cost RIM nearly USD 200-250 million. RIM's massive layoff comes in the backdrop of stiff competition with Apple in smartphone and tablet segment. The BlackBerry makers have apparently lost their hold to iPhone and Android devices in the US market. RIM's latest attempt to compete with Apple in tablet market with itsPlayBook didn't help much.

Google Code adds support for Git

In a short time since its creation, Git has managed to become one of the most popular version control systems. Git was originally created by Linus Torvalds as a version control system for theLinux kernel, however since then has found broad acceptance in the open source community. Especially thanks to services such as GitHub that make it incredible easy (and free) to host open source project, and to fork / clone / merge them.

Now Google has introduced support for Git has a version control option for projects hosted on Google Code. Previously they only supported Subversion (a centralized VCS), and Mercurial (a distributed VCS) for version control. Initially Google has only implemented Mercurial since it was easier to migrate to from Subversion, and had better HTTP performance characteristics and protocol compared to Git. However they feel Git has improved a lot since then.

Like their implementation of Mercurial, their Git implementation is based on Python as well. For this they have used an open source project called Dulwich, which is an implementation of Git in Python. Git was originally written mostly in C.

Since Google added support for creating project clones, and tracking / merging these clones, it has become a pretty good alternative for GitHub. However unlike GitHub, Google Code only allows hosting open source projects for free, they have not commercial plans for closed source software like GitHub does, so the project development has to be open from the start.

Hidden Facebook app for iPad discovered

Even as Facebook's mobile app for the iPhone runs well on the iPad, the social networking giant has not yet announced its official iPad app. A dedicated app for iPad would help take advantage of extra screen space on the iPad. But it seems Facebook's much awaited and talked about iPad app is on its way. The folks at TechCrunch have found that codes of the latest Facebook iOS app already have an iPad user interface.

It's notable that Internet has been long abuzz with speculations of a dedicate Facebook app for iPad. The company presently offers full-fledged smartphone apps for different OS such as iOS andAndroid. The iPad users however needed to access Facebook via Safari browser. Soon after the iPad was launched, rumours cropped up frequently regarding a Facebook iPad app.

TechCrunch said on its blog that it had discovered various Facebook features in that iPad app. The blog claimed that it was able to access news feed, chat with friends, Places and many other features. TechCrunch went on to dub the app as “spectacular”.

The rumor was fueled when Facebook announced last month that it was going to come up with “something awesome”. However, the awesome announcement turned out to be Skype-powered video chat service. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said earlier this month that the video chat service was first of what it dubbed as company's "launching season 2011."

screenshot of reported iPad app

Facebook users can now opt out of 'Tag Suggestions' feature

Facebook has made it easier for people to opt out of the “tag suggestions” or "face detection" feature after Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen raised privacy concerns. Facebook has launched an online ad campaign informing users about updating their privacy settings and option to opt out. The “tag suggestions” feature is based on a facial-recognition software that identifies users in images and links. Jespen had earlier told the social networking company that giving users option to opt out of that “tag suggestions” feature could be a critical component of consumer privacy.

One round of ads ran earlier this month, resulting in more than 400 million Facebook impressions on U.S. Facebook users’ home pages. “For any users who opt out, any facial recognition data collected will be deleted,” Jepsen said.

“Facebook has made significant changes that will provide better service and greater privacy protection to its users, not only in Connecticut, but across the country,” Jepsen said. “The company has been cooperative and diligent in its response and I look forward to working with them in the future to make sure Facebook users’ privacy is protected, which I believe is our shared goal.”

Meanwhile, Facebook says on its blog, “If for any reason you don't want your name to be suggested, you will be able to disable suggested tags in your Privacy Settings. Just click "Customize Settings" and "Suggest photos of me to friends." Your name will no longer be suggested in photo tags, though friends can still tag you manually. You can learn more about this feature in our Help Center.”
 

Amenbo - The five fingered mouse !

If you are one of those who love unusual gadgets, the five fingered mouse would not fail to grip your attention. Named Amenbo by Double Research and Development Company, this device is quite dramatic and interesting. With a device fixed for resting the palm along with five mice fixed with wire ribbons for fingers, you would enjoy working on your laptop/computer now. The interesting device is not just a candy for eyes but also provides comfort to the user.

 

Apart from comfort, Amenbo offers comfortable time at the 3D space which is missing with the regular mouse with limited 2D functionality. The company claims this mouse to be apt for gamers. This unusual mouse not just has smart 3D image recognition mechanism but also ability of sensing the finger pressures due to sensors fitted in all its finger panels. The mechanism is not that of a touchscreen but the device identifies user’s fingers being a part of his hand and tracks the movements with ease. Manipulation of CAD data and 3D models is the USP of Amenbo. You do not have to attach 3D and ordinary mouse for working on CAD data, Amenbo takes care of it. The mouse packages the dual functions for the convenience of users.

 

The company is not just offering bizarre mouse to the users, it also claims that it might use the technology in its production of Robotics. The company plans to use the five fingers Amenbo technology for their robots. The regular robots are being operated from either two or three fingers but the company would allow the users to use the five fingers while operating the robot’s hand. This Japanese company is surely leaving no stone unturned to create a benchmark in the world of technology.