Mozilla Evangelist Asks Google and Apple To Stop Being Evil

Asa Dotzler isn’t happy about the behavior of software giants like Google, Apple and Microsoft. In fact, Mozilla evangelist and co-founder of the Spread Firefox project in 2004 thinks they all should stop being evil. How so? He’s tired of finding unwanted plug-ins installed in Firefox by software such as iTunes, Windows Live and Google Earth.

Why do Microsoft, Google, Apple, and others think that it is an OK practice to add plug-ins to Firefox when I’m installing their software packages. When I installed iTunes, in order to manage my music collection and sync to my iPod, why did Apple think it was OK to add the iTunes Application Detector plug-in to my Firefox web browser without asking me? Why did Microsoft think it was OK to sneak their Windows Live Photo Gallery or Office Live Plug-in for Firefox into my browser (presumably) when I installed Microsoft Office? What makes Google think it’s reasonable behavior for them to slip a Google Update plug-in into Firefox when I installed Google Earth or Google Chrome (not sure which one caused this) without asking me first?

Read more

The Making Of The Glif [Video]

The Glif is an iPhone accessory we’re really looking forward to. It’s a tripod mount / stand for the iPhone 4 we’ve covered quite a few times in the past, and now the project is nearing completion with mass production of the units at Premier Source in Brookings, South Dakota.

The creators of The Glif posted a “making of” video of the product last night, which we have embedded below. Check it out, and go pre-order it if you still haven’t. Read more

iPad 2 Camera Lens Maker Reportedly Selected

Last week a rumor surfaced indicating that the next iPad, so far known as “iPad 2”, will sport new features such as a gyroscope, a Retina Display and USB ports. While we have our doubts about the Retina resolution and Apple willing to put USB ports in its magical tablet, we know it’s very likely that the next iteration of the iPad will get FaceTime capabilities with a front-facing camera. Apple wants FaceTime on as many devices as possible and the iPad is the most logical next step. Read more

Read It Later 2.3: New Article Parser, Better Attribution

Before falling in love with Instapaper, I was a loyal Read It Later user. I used the service for months and couldn’t be happier with it. So what made me switch to Instapaper? The fact that Marco Arment’s software had a better text parser – that little magic that takes content from the cluttered web and presents it in a beautiful, readable and uncluttered fashion.

Read It Later introduced a few minutes ago a new “insane” article parser, which doesn’t stop at text but extends the service’s capabilities to images and embedded videos. Plus, developer Nate Weiner has refined the whole text parsing process to make RIL smarter and faster at fetching articles.

Am I going to ditch Instapaper and jump on the Read It Later bandwagon all over again? No, but I’m going to give this a deep week-long second try. Read more

Mac Of The Future→

Mac Of The Future

From its experience with iOS, Apple believes it has discovered—or perhaps rediscovered—the secret to selling consumer technology products: simplicity. This doesn’t mean that the Mac we know and love will disappear. Rather, by stealing the most successful ideas from iOS, the Mac OS of tomorrow could slowly shed its legacy constraints while still remaining true to the power, utility, and spirit that has always defined the Mac.

And we haven’t seen anything about Lion yet – Mac App Store and Launchpad aside. Exciting times ahead for Mac users.

Permalink

“There’s A Nap For That”

Some people have just the right idea at the right time. We have seen iPhone-based weddings, cakes, pillows, pins, iPad cakes and Steve Jobs actions figures. Could one be more creative? Meet the iPhone quilt, knitted by Grandma Harriet for her grandson Gabriel Augusto Stein, a six day old baby. It’s even got an Evernote icon.

Isn’t this insanely awesome? We think it is. The father even says “there’s a nap for that”. I want one. [TUAW via The Daily What via Benjamin Stein]

Apple Updates Game Center Terms To Show Full Names In Friend Requests

A few minutes ago Apple sent out an email notification to inform users that they have updated Game Center terms & conditions to show full names associated with Apple IDs in friend requests.

We have changed the Game Center terms and conditions to provide you notice that if you send a friend invitation, the full name associated with your Apple ID will be shared with the recipient. If you accept a friend invitation, the full name associated with your Apple ID will be shared with the sender.

Read more

iPad Free In Japan With Softbank’s New Two-Year Plan

It appears that carriers worldwide are all revising their iPad subsidy plans ahead of the holiday season that’s approaching really fast. A few minutes ago, as noted by Engadget, Softbank announced [Google Translation] that starting December 3rd you’ll be able to get an iPad for free if you subscribe to the carrier’s new two-year data plan, which will cost you ¥4,725 ($56) per month for 3G usage.

We already know that the iPhone is doing quite well in Japan. Is the iPad next?