Digital Trends
Firefox is on a roll. Just seven weeks after releasing the first beta of its 3.1 browser, it’s already rolling out the second beta to testers. There are several new features this time around, notably the Privacy Mode, or so-called Porn Mode, which allows users to surf online without leaving a history on their computers.
The company feels 3.1 will also have a speed advantage over 3.0, thanks in large part to a new Javascript engine called TraceMonkey, which will be enabled by default for Web content.
Officially it’s privacy mode, or Incognito in Chrome and InPrivate in IE8, or as some laughingly call it, porn mode. Whatever the name, it does the same thing – lets you surf the web without showing the history of where you’ve been.
It wasn’t on Firefox 3.0, released so publicly in June, but it looks set to appear on the beta of 3.1 as a second-level priority, ZDNet reports. The browser in currently in alpha. It also seems likely to feature faster Javascript handling, the ability to drag and drop between browser windows and more.
Toshiba may have lost the high-definition format war—throwing in the towel to Sony’s Blu-ray format earlier this year—but that doesn’t mean the company is embracing Sony’s technology. Instead, Toshiba has been focussing on the digital movie format with the largest market penetration: plain, simple DVD. And it’s new XD-E500 DVD player aims to put new life into existing DVD through upscaling and a plethora of picture mode setting via the company’s new XDE (eXtended Detail Enhancement) technology.
Hot on the heels of announcing its FZ28 zoom camera, Panasonic has unveiled its new Lumix DMC-FX150 compact digital shooter—but it’s not quite the same ultra-slim point-and-shoot camera aimed at fashionistas and casual snapshot fiends. Instead, the FX150 sports a 14.7 megapixel resolution, a 3.6× optical zoom, and a manual exposure mode that let users control the shutter speed. Plus, the camera stores images in RAW format for lossless pictures, and offers an Intelligent Auto mode makes automatic settings adjustments based on the environment.
Pentax has tkaen the wraps off a new pair of cameras in its Optio point-and-shoot line of digital cameras: the 12 megapixel Optio A40 and the slim 8 megapixel Optio V10.
The Optio A40 features a 12 megapixel resolution, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, 21 MB of internal memory, and image storage via SD and SDHC media. The A40 also offers USB 2.0 connectivity, NTSC/PAL video output, and PictBridge compatibility, along with image stabilization (mechanical and digital, plus a shake-free movie mode), a 3× optical zoom, ISO sensitivity down to 3,200 at five megapixels, and an AVI movie mode which can capture video at 30 frames per second. Pentax also includes face recognition technology, including a Natural Skin Tone mode and a Half-Length Portrait mode for instant head-and-shoulders shots. Expect to see the Optio A40 this month for about $300.
The U.K. market research firm Juniper Research might be putting the kibish on Cisco’s version of the iPhone, while tacitly giving Apple’s iPhone a shot at a rosier future. In a new research repert, Juniper forecasts the worldwide market for VoIP-over-Wi-Fi equipment will expand to some $82 million by 2012, with the North American market accounting for some $35 billion of that revenue. However, while dual mode handsets which can connect to both cellular and Wi-Fi networks will enjoy wide market adoption, single-mode VoIP handsets which only offer services via Wi-Fi will be shunted to the margins, accounting for only $1.5 billion of 2012’s $82 billion in revenue, or just 1.5 percent of the overall market.
Folks who think the PSP mainly appeals to the sort of gamer who isn’t old enough o have a driver’s license may be surprised to learn that the Playstation mothership itself, Sony Computer Entertainment, has just shipped Gangs of London for its Playstation Portable in North America.
"Gangs of London is varied, quick-fire, and fun with all original content designed exclusively for the PSP system. Now you can control and give orders to your team of gangsters to orchestrate the most ruthless takeover of the London underworld," said Daniel Navarro, London Studio, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. "We are excited by its innovative combination of the squad-based and driving genres rooted in an intense depiction of London’s criminal underworld."
Casio is breathing some new life into their popular Exilim line of digital cameras. They announced today three new models: The EX-Z70, EX-Z700 and EX-S770. All are 7.2 megapixel cameras that are bothaffordable and pack a lot of power. They’re not only great entry level digital cameras, but can also meet the demands of picky photographers.
Electronics maker Ricoh has announced its new Caplio RR660 digital point-and-shoot camera, featuring a 6.16 megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom (12x when combined with digital zoom), and a large 2.4-inch LCD viewfinder.
The Caplio RR660 offers USB connectivity, six still modes (Auto, Program, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, and Night Scene) to assist in getting good snapshots in a hurry, 16 MB of built-in memory and support for SD card storage. The camera also features a video mode capable of capturing 320 by 240 video at 20 frames per second, a 1/1000th of a second still shutter speed, and a macro mode which runs from about 5 cm to 40 cm (wide angle) and 35 cm to 40 cm in telephoto mode. The unit runs off two AA batteries, and weights just 130 grams (0.29 pounds) without batteries and accessories.
Everyone wants to be an insider, and you can be one too! Choose your poison: sign-up for our Newsletter, join us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. Do all three and you'll be swimming in the the latest news, reviews, videos and more gadget goodness!
Become a DT soldier! Join us on Facebook and share the best news, guides, videos and other cool information directly with all your friends. Some might even thank you for it!
Join the thousands and follow the best of us on Facebook.
Do you like information in small snippets? Then our Twitter feed is just for you. Follow Digital Trends and you'll be able to catch up daily on our latest content, or even interact directly with our team. Tweet Tweet!
Join the thousands and follow the best of us on Twitter.
That’s Right, Sign-up For Our Monthly Random Prize Drawings and You Could Be That Winner.
