Software

Google removes ad blocking software from its store

Written by

According to several sources, Google has started sending notifications to developers with ad-blocking software in the Google Play Store regarding these apps’ removal. Players like AdBlock, AdAway, AdFree and more are being whisked away.

Anyone surprised? Google will let all the Malware in the world in the store, but not ad blocking software.

Google Reader to shut down July 1

Written by

.

We launched Google Reader in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favorite websites. While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives can export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout over the course of the next four months.

One of Google’s most useful products. Gone.

Barley: A new content editing system for Web sites

Written by

Barley looks really cool with its inline editing and philosophy of having no backend admin section or plug-ins. It’s not available yet, but it will be interesting to see how it does when released.

Samsung: Windows 8 is no better than Vista

Written by

Jun Dong-soo, president of Samsung’s memory chip division:

“The global PC industry is steadily shrinking despite the launch of Windows 8,” Jun said. “I think the Windows 8 system is no better than the previous Windows Vista platform.”

And, as if that wasn’t enough:

“[Microsoft’s] rollout of its Windows Surface tablet is seeing lackluster demand,” he said. “Meanwhile, previous vigorous pitches by Intel and MS for thinner ultra-books simply failed and I believe that’s mostly because of the less-competitive Windows platform.”

But the Surface makes you dance.

Google admits it infringed MPEG H.264 patents

Written by

Almost three years after Google released its WebM video encoding technology as a “free” and open alternative to the existing H.264 backed by Apple and others, it has admitted its position was wrong and that it would pay to license the patents WebM infringes.

Google got away with stealing Java code, so I guess it thought why not steal some video codecs too.

Microsoft fined $730 million by EU

Written by

Microsoft has been fined 561 million euros ($731m; £484m) for failing to promote a range of web browsers, rather than just Internet Explorer, to users in the European Union (EU).

Save over $500 on top Mac apps with MacUpdate’s Spring bundle! [Sponsor]

Written by

For only $49.99 you get all this:

  1. Parallels Desktop 8 – $79.99 – The best way to run Windows on your Mac.
  2. DEVONthink Pro 2 – $79.95 – A powerful information organizer.
  3. Prizmo 2 – $49.95 – Scan/OCR any document or photo.
  4. MotionComposer 1.6 – $149.00 – Create professional HTML5 and Flash Web animations.
  5. 1000 OpenTypeFonts Collection – $99.00 – Complete with commercial-use and WebFont licenses.
  6. iStat Menus 4 – $16.00 – Monitor your Mac from the menubar; a power user’s dream.
  7. PhotoStyler 6 – $29.99 – Add dazzling effects and personalize your photos.
  8. DiskAid 6 – $29.90 – A must-have utility for iPhone, iPad, or iPod owners.
  9. Intego Mac Internet Security 2013 (3-Pack) – $74.98 – The #1 malware solution, rebuilt for 2013.
  10. MacUpdate Desktop (6 months) – $10.00 – The best way to keep all your apps up-to-date.

Don’t delay, this offer won’t last long!

CleanMyMac 2

Written by

I had a chance to use the new version before it was released today and really liked it. I didn’t figure it would find much on my system, but it cleaned up 6GB of garbage from my computer.

Napkin image annotation

Written by

Napkin is the ultimate tool for concise visual communication. Painlessly create visual notes and diagrams and share the results quickly.

Very cool looking app from Guy English.

Dropbox CEO criticizes iCloud

Written by

Houston called out iCloud’s “bizarre limitations,” saying that no iPhone or iPad user can easily share iCloud documents with an Android device.

I see iCloud and Dropbox as different types of services — maybe they shouldn’t be, but I think they are. There are plenty of things I could say that iCloud does better than Dropbox, but it wouldn’t make sense to do so. Just like this doesn’t make sense in a some ways.

How not to compete in business

Written by

One software developer is accusing Many Tricks of stealing his UI. Many Tricks isn’t taking the accusation lying down.

Don’t be evil Google

Written by

How is it that Google feels its entitled to steal elements of Java and get away with it. No matter how you look at it, that’s an asshole move.

App.net goes ‘freemium’

Written by

App.net, the subscription based social network, now has a freemium plan. All you need to get started is an invitation.