Opera 10.60 gets official, brings more speed, security

Only two weeks after the beta release, Opera 10.60 is now available in its complete form, bringing more speed and more security, according to the browser's Norwegian developer. Opera Software says the latest revision is 50% quicker than 10.50 on "key" benchmarks, resulting in snappier performance on JavaScript-heavy sites like Gmail and Facebook.

Opera 10.60 also incorporates AVG anti-fraud and phishing protection to block malicious sites and keep users informed about potential malware and scams. Other improvements include search tweaks like the addition of Bing and a feature called search suggestions, support for WebM video as well as other HTML5 features, such as geolocation and Web app caching.

The interface has also received a facelift with an improved Menu button and the addition of large icon tabs. If you'd like to join the 120 million other folks using Opera (not all desktop users, mind you) swing by our download section and grab latest browser version: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux.

Extension sync, built-in PDF viewer coming to Chrome

Google has pushed out new versions of Chrome to the web browser's developer channel. The update addresses a number of bugs like the typical run-of-the-mill release, but it also packs a couple of interesting new features, including the long sought-after ability to synchronize extensions across multiple computers. Just like with bookmarks or preferences, now any copy of Chrome on which you are logged into your Google Account will have the same extensions as your other machines.

The feature is not enabled by default and we hear it's still a little buggy, but that's something to expect when running the dev build. To enable extension sync, right click on Chrome's shortcut, choose Properties, and at the end of the Target field add the following command line switch: "--enable-sync-extensions" (minus the quotes).

The other big new feature in Chrome's latest dev release is the built-in PDF viewer. In its current implementation the feature is fairly limited and appears to be based on the same technology that powers 'View as HTML' in Gmail. This means users are not required to have Adobe Reader installed, which could provide safer experience for those who often drag their feet when it comes to installing new versions of the plug-in. Google will still allow Acrobat Reader -- or any other PDF reader -- to be launched directly from Chrome in case you need more advanced capabilities.

If you are interested in trying out the new features just head over to the download page for Google Chrome's dev channel builds. If you don't want potentially unstable software running on your machine, though, it might be better to wait for these features to trickle down to the beta and then the stable release channels.

Opera 10.60 beta boasts even faster browsing, new features

A new beta version of Opera is available and along with various new features, it flaunts the usual speed improvements. Build 10.60 of the "world's fastest browser" is said to be 50% quicker on select JavaScript tests than the recently launched Opera 10.50 – which is already quite speedy, so we're unsure how an isolated 50% improvement translates to real world performance. But faster is always better right?

Added features include geolocation, which can detect your location on a map and is useful for localizing search results, support for the open video format WebM, custom thumbnails for tabs, and overall visual improvements on Speed Dial, tab previews, and the Opera menu button.

There's also talk of "search suggestions for selected partners in the Speed Dial and search box," while HTML5 Appcache lets you use apps like a word processor or image editor in your browser, and developers can use Web Workers for heavy calculations without slowing down the browser.

You can download Opera 10.60b1 for Windows here.

t News Page 2 12345 Microsoft quietly pushes Firefox extension in toolbar update

It seems Microsoft is back to pushing stealth updates to unsuspecting Windows users via its Windows Update mechanism. As part of its monthly 'Patch Tuesday' cycle, the company pushed out a range of updates this week, fixing vulnerabilities in its operating system and other applications. Among those, however, the company quietly included a browser extension for IE and Firefox to fix a URL handling issue in the Bing toolbar -- whether you have it installed or not.

The update in question, KB982217, is labeled "Update for Microsoft Search Enhancement Pack" and marked as an Important update rather than Optional. This means the extension will be installed either automatically, if the user has Automatic Updates on, or manually when the user clicks Install, as Important updates are checked by default. What makes matters worse is that the update's knowledge base article says nothing about installing an extension or add-on.

There doesn't seem to be any security implications to this add-on's background installation, but as you can imagine Mozilla is not particularly amused by having Microsoft silently updating their browser -- and Firefox users probably won't be either. If you don't appreciate the extension cluttering up your Firefox, or simply don't use Bing's bar, it's safe to remove it just as you would with other extensions -- you can also delete the Firefox Extension folder from "C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\" to make sure it's gone from your Firefox install.

Safari 5 announced, boasts twice the speed of Firefox 3.6

In addition to officially uncorking the latest iPhone handset and operating system, Apple also announced Safari 5 today. The new build touts improved DNS prefetching and page caching, making it 30% quicker than Safari 4 (based on SunSpider 0.9.1, a JavaScript benchmark), 3% faster than the recently launched Chrome 5, and over two times the speed of Firefox 3.6.

Safari 5 features over a dozen new HTML5 technologies, including full screen playback and closed captions for HTML5 video, HTML5 geolocation, HTML5 sectioning elements, HTML5 draggable attribute, HTML5 forms validation, HTML5 Ruby, HTML5 AJAX history, EventSource and WebSocket. Apple has also launched the Safari Developer Program to let developers create Safari Extensions, which are sandboxed and signed with a digital certificate from Apple for security.

Another key feature is Safari Reader, a function that lets users "read single and multipage articles on the Web by presenting them in a new, scrollable view without any additional content or clutter." When the browser detects an article, users can click an icon to display the post for "clear, uninterrupted reading." Safari Reader has a few tools, such as the ability to enlarge, print, or send via email.

Interestingly, the press release for Safari 5 has disappeared on PR Newswire. That said, one is available on Apple's site, it shouldn't be long before the rollout. When Safari 5 goes live, both Mac OS X and Windows users will be able to download it here.

Update: It seems to be available now, although there is a minor error on the page. We assume someone's scrambling to get it out the door.

Opera Mini downloaded 2.6 million times from App Store

Opera's mobile Web browser was cleared for the iPod and iPhone early last month and it has already become a top platform for Opera Mini. The Norwegian software company said in its State of the Mobile Web Report that a million App Store customers downloaded the alternative browser in the first day alone, and soared to more than 2.6 million by the end of April.

Opera Mini's user base reached 58.9 million, up 6.6% from the month prior and over 152% year-over-year. Page views climbed to 26.3 billion, up 1.6% sequentially and 203% on-year. That response made the iPhone the most popular Opera device in the US, passing BlackBerry phones, and fifth in the UK.

It also pushed the United States to sixth (from eighth) in the top 10 countries by usage, and the iPhone became the third most popular handset in the world to use Opera Mini, behind the Nokia 5130 XpressMusic and Nokia 6300. The remaining devices on the list (fourth through tenth) are all Nokias.

Chrome 5 stable released for Windows, Mac, Linux

Google has released Chrome 5, bringing new features and marking the first stable build for Mac and Linux. The latest version is available for Windows too, of course. Among the new features is the ability to synchronize browser preferences, such as themes, homepage and startup settings, web content settings, preferred languages, and even page zoom settings across multiple computers. This is in addition to syncing bookmarks, which was introduced in version 4.0 earlier this year.

Extensions now work in incognito mode via the extensions manager, the bookmark manager has been tweaked, and Chrome 5 incorporates HTML5 features, such as Geolocation APIs, App Cache, web sockets, as well as file drag-and-drop. If you want to experience some of what HTML5 brings to the table, Google says you can drag and drop attachments in Gmail or enable the geolocation functionality in Google Maps.

Although Flash Player integration didn't make it into this build, it should come along with the full release of Flash 10.1, which isn't far off. If Chrome hasn't automatically updated yet, you can manually install version 5 by clicking the tools menu (looks like a wrench), then About Google Chrome.

Mozilla Weave gets re-branded as Firefox Sync

Mozilla's browser sync tool, Weave, is getting another update this week along with a re-brand meant to help less in-the-know Firefox users understand what the software does. Starting with version 1.3b5 and going forward, Weave will be known as Firefox Sync as Mozilla prepares to start publicizing this little known tool for daily usage. Basically what it does is keep your bookmarks, history, passwords, open tabs and other Firefox data in sync across computers.

Besides the name change, Firefox Sync 1.3b5 features a new user interface, better response times during syncing, new production server clusters built to handle larger loads, Fennec (Firefox Mobile) support, and a backup feature for your bookmarks before the first sync so you can 'undo' any modifications in the event of an accidental overwrite. The full list of changes can be found on the official release notes.

You can you can grab Firefox Sync 1.3b5 on this page by clicking on the Experimental version link next to the download button -- or just the stable version, Weave Sync 1.2, by clicking on the download button. The feature is currently available as an extension, but there are future plans to integrate Sync 2.0 into Firefox 4.0.

Mozilla discusses Firefox 4 plans, beta 'could' be out in June

With Google's Chrome making big market share gains month after month and Microsoft working hard on Internet Explorer 9, the pressure is on stagnating Mozilla to step up its game and stay competitive. In an attempt to spark some interest for the next major upgrade of its open source browser, Firefox team leader Mike Beltzner delivered a presentation yesterday night outlining the company's plans for the near future.

In a nutshell, Beltzner listed three main goals for Firefox 4: making it super fast, including support for new open standard web technologies (HTML 5 and more), and putting users in full control of their web experience with personalization features. Beltzner noted that Firefox 3.7 would be ditched in favor of an update to 3.6, version 3.6.4, which will include the former's main additions like out-of-process plug-ins for improved stability and security.

As for Firefox 4, Mozilla is hoping to release beta versions this summer, possibly as early as June, with the final release shipping sometime around November if all goes according to plans. One significant change coming under the hood is JaegerMonkey, which combines Firefox's current JavaScript engine with elements of those used in Chrome and Safari browsers. Also on the Firefox 4 plan is support for 64-bit processors, a streamlined main thread, and DOM improvements, as well as an overhauled and simplified user interface across all platforms.

Mozilla working on new Firefox Add-ons Manager

Mozilla is working on an overhauled Firefox Add-ons Manager that should rollout with v3.7. Rather than opening as a tiny window separate from the rest of the browser, the revamped manager launches as a new tab. In addition to being in the Tools menu, you can also launch the manager by typing "about:addons" in the awesome bar (which inherently means you can create a handy bookmark shortcut).


The tab is home to two panes: one has a sidebar for navigating extensions, themes, plugins and other add-ons, and the other contains a browser, meaning that you can finally find, deploy, and manage add-ons from a single location.

Naturally, since the update isn't finished yet, the end product may have a different look and feel. Nonetheless, you can download the latest build here. It's worth noting that the new Add-ons Manager uses JavaScript, so if you're running NoScript you'll have to whitelist the page.

Early reports show IE not faring well in the post-ballot screen days B

Most PC users hit the web using Internet Explorer by default, simply because that's what came along with Windows. Now, after antitrust investigations, European users get a choice of browser to install via ballot screen, and initial reports are not good for 'ol IE. According to Statcounter, IE use in France has dropped 2.5 percent since last month's implementation of the ballot, 1.3 percent in Italy, and 1 percent in Britain. It's still early days, and it'll take more than this to chip away from IE's 62 percent lead in the browser war, but it's certainly not a good trend for Microsoft. With that in mind, we're going to have to ask you to place your bets now.

Opera: Microsoft's browser ballot has tripled our downloads

Opera has reportedly witnessed an influx of downloads since the introduction of Microsoft's browser ballot to Europe two days ago. After the rollout, Opera downloads more than tripled in major European countries, such as Belgium, France, Spain, Poland, and the UK, according to Rolf Assev, Opera's chief strategy officer.

Microsoft introduced the ballot to appease EU regulators after rival browser makers (including Opera and Google) complained that Redmond had an unfair advantage by preinstalling Internet Explorer on every Windows PC. The ballot randomly sorts the five most popular browsers (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and IE) and lets users pick which they want to install.


It's unclear whether other companies have also witnessed a rise in downloads, and it's worth noting that some of Opera's sudden traffic may stem from yesterday's major release of version 10.50. Hopefully Mozilla and others will step forward with some statistics in the near future.

Mozilla announces winner of Firefox 4 home tab contest

Mozilla has announced the winner of a competition in which participants were asked to design a new home tab for Firefox 4.0. After two rounds of voting and nearly 3,000 votes, Mozilla has crowned Yatrik Solanki the victor.

Solanki describes his concept as "Identifies, a website launcher, browsing sessions, and a task-oriented ultrasmart search box define my concept. And it's cool!" If you're not sure what to make of that, check out this video after the break.

The design centers on four elements intended to give users a place to start, but not necessarily consume content. Among the features is search box with added functionality inspired by Ubiquity, and an Identities section with automatic logins to your favorite sites. More interestingly, once you've added sites, RSS notifications can be configured and synced across multiple platforms.

A sessions section could automatically open sites commonly browsed together, for instance, all of your favorite news sites could be saved as a single session. In addition to the sessions is a visual history which shows a browsing trail across time. Solanki says it is perfect for times when you can't remember how you wound up on a site, and it shows a thumbnailed timeline of your activity.

While none of those features are revolutionary per se, they would be great additions to the current Firefox home tab. There is no guarantee that Mozilla will use this design in Firefox 4.0 and the interface would likely be modified, but it at least offers a peek at what might be on the way.

Opera 10.5 for Windows announced with speed boost, private browsing, and more

A quick note for Opera fans (and we ain't talkin' The Marriage of Figaro here). Looks like the self-styled "world's fastest" browser (with about 2% of the market share, last time we checked) has a new version! 10.5 for Windows features a swank new look, a new JavaScript engine, private browsing, Opera Unite (which is sure to re-invent the web any moment now) and much more.

Firefox 3.5 breaks new download records

When Mozilla made the transition from the Firefox 2.x series to the current 3.x series, they broke a record by netting over 8 million downloads in the first day it was available. Much of this was due to a very successful PR campaign. Firefox 3.5 was released without all that fanfare, but still managed to hold its own. Enough people were interested in the update to net Mozilla over 5 million downloads in the first 24 hours of availability.

What's more, this time they did it without any server mishaps, no doubt planning for a surge in server load in advance. Whether or not 3.5 is an exciting release is left up to you, but we can all agree that Mozilla has definitely helped changed the face of the Internet in the past several years. Hopefully they will continue to do such as Firefox becomes a more serious competitor than ever against IE.