Mozilla publishes name and shame list of slow Firefox add-ons, cracks down on tardy devs

Firefox slow-addons list
Mozilla, continuing its year-long crusade to speed up Firefox startup and shutdown times, has published a name and shame list of the Firefox's slowest add-ons.

The list is just one part of Mozilla's new efforts to highlight slow add-ons, and to help developers make their add-ons more efficient. Over the next two weeks, 'slow performance warnings' will be introduced in the add-on gallery so that users can see, before installation, which add-ons will slow down their browser. If that isn't enough to spur developers into cleaning up their add-ons, Mozilla has also begun reaching out to developers of slow add-ons with tips on how to improve add-on performance. Finally, add-on developers will soon have the ability to perform 'on-demand performance testing,' so that they can test their add-on before it's deployed publicly.

Mozilla reports that the average Firefox add-on slows down Firefox's start-up time by 10% -- which means, if you install 10 add-ons, you will double your start-up time. On fast desktop PCs that kind of slowdown might be negligible, but on older computers, laptops and smartphones, it could be the difference between a 5 and 10 second startup. Mozilla has obviously realized that while massive performance gains might've been made with Firefox 4, the addition of third-party add-ons can destroy any user-perceived improvements.

In other news, Mozilla says that a future build of Firefox will block the installation of add-ons (such as toolbars) by third-party software. Add-ons and toolbars that are bundled in this way will require explicit approval when you next open up Firefox. Hooray!

Mozilla publishes name and shame list of slow Firefox add-ons, cracks down on tardy devs originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/mozilla-publishes-name-and-shame-list-of-slow-firefox-add-ons/

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Katy Perry Planning New Album

Singer Katy Perry has announced that she is planning a new album and will begin work in the studio shortly. Get the details below on her forthcoming LP, and how Perry plans to return to her musical roots. Teenage Dream singer Katy Perry has told MTV she is going to be working on a new album soon. The singer says that after she finishes up promoting The Complete Confection edition she’ll head back into the studio where she’ll return to her musical roots. By the sounds of it Katy plans to nix the funky hair colors, and possibly some elements of her pop music, opting for a more basic and natural collection of tracks. “I don’t want to jinx myself ’cause I haven’t stepped into the studio. I have an idea ? I always have an idea. Like, I have an idea for the next two records; it just depends,” she shared with the music network. “What I say is, I’m gonna kind of put my finger out there and test the pulse or test the waters of what the world wants, or what I need to say, which is probably most important rather than what the world wants.” Unwilling [...]

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Panasonic details US availability for 25 of its 2012 HDTVs

Too busy multitasking to make any important decisions? You might want to bookmark this post, then, because Panasonic just spat out a wallop of a press release outlining US availability (but not pricing) details for 25 of its 2012 HDTVs. Starting with those Infinite Black Ultra plasmas we saw at CES, the 65-inch VT50 is coming later this month, but you'll have to wait until April for the 50-inch GT50. If you can settle for a set with an Infinite Black Pro panel, though, the ST50 series is available now in 50- and 55-inch sizes, with the 60- and 65-inchers coming this month and in April, respectively. Moving down the 3D Plasma totem pole, the UT50 series will start tricking out this month in 42- and 50-inch flavors, with 55- and 60-inch counterparts following in April and May. The most affordable of the models listed, the 50-inch XT50 series, will go on sale before the month's end.

Had your heart set on an LED number? If you recall, Panasonic announced a boatload of those at CES, and this press release doesn't even mention all of them, but so far we know the E5 series (32 and 37 inches), the E50 series (42, 47 and 55 inches), the lower-end X5 series (32 inches) and the 47-inch TC-L47DT50 (part of the high-end DT50 series) will all be available this month. Want the best and the biggest? Panasonic is shipping its 3D-capable, 55-inch DT50- and WT50-series sets in May. Rounding out the list, there's Panasonic's first polarized 3D TVs, which will be available later this month in 47- and 55-inch flavors, with a 42-incher following in April.

Got it? Good. You sure? In case you need a moment to digest all those dates and model numbers, tap the source link below to find detailed specs, along with confirmed pricing -- something you won't see anywhere in that extensive press release.

Continue reading Panasonic details US availability for 25 of its 2012 HDTVs

Panasonic details US availability for 25 of its 2012 HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/panasonic-details-us-availability-for-25-of-its-2012-hdtvs/

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Logitech Introduces Earbuds for Unified Communications

Logitech has just announced their BH320 USB Stereo Earbuds for enterprise-grade in-ear audio for PC telephony and videoconferencing.  These earbuds weigh about an ounce, so they’ll be discreet and comfortable to wear.  They offer “business-grade sound clarity provided by precise acoustic tuning and advanced echo cancellation”, in-line controls, and a powerful microphone placed close to [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/03/06/logitech-introduces-earbuds-for-unified-communications/

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Will Beyonce Grace The Grammys Red Carpet?

Experts weigh in on when the new mom will make her next appearance, and when we might get to see Blue Ivy.
By Jocelyn Vena

<P>Beyoncé has already stepped out not once but twice support of Jay-Z as he held two shows at Carnegie Hall this week in New York City, and now her fans are wondering when and where the next great B sighting might be. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:732758" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>Will it be at the Grammy Awards on Sunday? Or is she going to save it for when she reveals her daughter, Blue Ivy, for the first time? </P><P> </P><P>"This option was typical Beyonc&#233;. She isn't interested in getting paid to pose on a tabloid cover. It was a non-event," Huffington Post celebrity columnist Rob Shuter told MTV News about the first two Queen B sightings. "She isn't one of those reality-type celebrities that turn up at everything just to be seen. Her next big moment will be when she walks a red carpet for a project she is involved in." </P><P> </P><P>With Beyonc&#233; choosing to go a more low-key route this week, celebrity editor David Caplan notes that there's a good chance that she may walk the carpet this Sunday. She's up for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for her Andre 3000-assisted <i>4</i> track, "Party," as well as Best Long Form Music Video for her "I Am ... World Tour" special. Jay-Z is also up for some prizes, including Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Album for the work he did with Kanye West on "Otis" and <i>Watch the Throne.</i> </P><P> </P><P>"Going forward, I expect her next big reveal to be at a show like the Grammys, where she can really jazz it up with a gown, which people want to see," he noted. "I think we'll see Beyonc&#233; gradually appear in more photos at events with Jay-Z as she seeks to get back into the groove. And once those baby photos are out, I wouldn't be surprised to see her out and about occasionally with Blue doing mommy-related tasks." </P><P> </P><P>So, how should we expect to see those first photos? "Since Beyonc&#233; chose to make the reveal by simply stepping out, and letting the throngs of photographers waiting for her to have a field day by taking tons of photos, her reveal allowed every media outlet to run the photos and make the reveal themselves, as opposed to if Beyonc&#233; made an exclusive first post-baby picture deal with a magazine like <i>People</i> or <i>Us</i> or a monthly magazine like <i>Vogue</i> or <i>Vanity Fair</i>," he said. </P><P> </P><P>"Stylistically, had she done a proper shoot with a magazine, the photos would have a much more top-notch quality to them, but when celebs do such photo shoots, they open themselves up to scrutiny since the public sometimes shuns on celebs who get paid for such photos, which happens, especially with the celebrity weeklies," he continued. "But the photos are great, and it's obvious she worked with at least one photo agency, since she posted very clear photos of herself on her website." </P><P> </P><P>And, since B has already been out and about, that ultimately affects the value of future pictures of her. "Now that the first pics of her post-baby have been revealed, the monetary value of subsequent photos of her &#8212; without her baby, of course &#8212; will be of course pricey," Caplan said. "But ultimately less in value since there's already a set out." </P><P>Well, whenever B decides to make her big red-carpet statement or introduce the world to Blue Ivy, she's certainly already floored her friends with her dazzling post-baby looks. "She looks fantastic. She looks fantastic. I told her she looks so hot!" Kelly Rowland exclaimed to MTV News this week. "She looks so hot; just even sexy. Love her!" </P><P> </P><P><i>Do you think Beyonc&#233; will show up at the Grammys? Leave your comment below.</i> </P><P> </P><P><b>Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!</b></p>

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678953/beyonce-grammys-2012.jhtml "> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678953/beyonce-grammys-2012.jhtml

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Deal of the Day ? Logitech Ultimate Ears 600vi Noise-Isolating Earphones

LogicBUY’s Deal for Thursday is the Logitech Ultimate Ears 600vi Noise-Isolating Earphones for $83.99. $119.99 – 30% coupon code = $83.99 with free shipping. This is the best deal currently found by LogicBUY for these earphones. This deal expires March 13, 2012 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/03/08/deal-of-the-day-logitech-ultimate-ears-600vi-noise-isolating-earphones/

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This Titan Fake Security Dome Camera Is Your Unsecure Deal of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Michel Foucault believed that those under constant surveillance were more likely to fall in line with the laws of the land and police themselves. Thomas Hobbes believed that we are all fundamentally evil. So how do you stop people from doing evil shit in your home? Pretend that you're watching them, of course. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/QUQWMH4LY7c/this-titan-fake-security-dome-camera-is-your-unsecure-deal-of-the-day

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Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive hands on: surprisingly cool, but still US-only

Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive
When Amazon Appstore for Android launched last week, one of its primary features -- Test Drive -- was disabled just a few minutes after it opened. With no try-before-you-buy, no refund process, and 1-Click purchasing ready to strike at any moment, this caused some problems. Anyway, don't despair: Test Drive is now enabled.

Before you get your hopes up, Test Drive doesn't work with every app. The IMDb app works fine -- you can even watch movie trailers on it! -- but the Angry Birds games are sadly not enabled. Some games work surprisingly well, though, like Bubble Buster. There's very little latency, and the framerate is really rather good. The Test Drive experience is so true to life that you even get ads; how cool is that?

Continue reading Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive hands on: surprisingly cool, but still US-only

Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive hands on: surprisingly cool, but still US-only originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/28/amazon-appstore-for-android-test-drive-hands-on-surprisingly-co/

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Mozilla Messaging reintegrates with Labs, unifies focus on Web-based communication

Mozilla Messaging, citing Mozilla's increased focus on Web-borne communications, will be reintegrating with Mozilla Labs.

The Messaging subsidiary was formed in 2008 to focus on Thunderbird, but given Mozilla Labs' current focus on identity and contact management, it now makes sense for the groups to be merged. Thunderbird will be unaffected by the change -- some URLs might change, but that's it -- and presumably Messaging's F1 and Raindrop will thrive in the Labs playground.

What this means for the end user -- for the hundreds of millions of Firefox users -- is that the next big additions will be communication- and messaging-oriented. Contacts and F1 will be almost certainly be baked into Firefox 5 or 6, both of which will be released this year -- and, who knows, there might be something else even more exciting up Mozilla Labs' sleeve!

Mozilla Messaging reintegrates with Labs, unifies focus on Web-based communication originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/mozilla-messaging-reintegrates-with-labs-unifies-focus-on-web-b/

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