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Internet Explorer 9 hits 2.35 million downloads in first 24 hours, we're mildly impressed
Okay, so 2.35 million downloads in a single day is nothing to scoff at, but it's also not a monumental achievement in terms of browser downloads in the first 24. A post to Internet Explorer's official blog used the word "wow" to describe the IE9 numbers, but considering Firefox 3 got the Guinness world record for most software downloads in a day, with 8 million way back in 2008, we're reluctant to call this news wow-worthy. Given, Firefox 3 was available for both Mac and PC, but it still beat Windows' new browser three times over. Don't get us wrong, we like IE9, but we still think a little bit of modesty goes a long way.
Google Chrome 9 update brings speed, WebGL, and apps
You're probably a lot like us: more handsome and socially adept, naturally, but with a similar fear of robots and penchant for living fast and loose with pre-release developer builds. As such, the latest changes to the stable release of the Chrome browser won't be of much use to you. Nevertheless, Google's official window to the web was just injected with a speed bump, 3D WebGL graphics, Google Chrome Instant search results, and the Chrome Web Store already available in Chrome's beta channel. If nothing else, please, we beg you, do the right thing and inform the local luddite.
Archos 9pctablet hands-on
We wouldn't want to jump to conclusions, but Archos might just be onto something with its upcoming 9pctablet, which is due to launch alongside Windows 7. The Windows 7 bit isn't an accident, since it's really the first OS from Microsoft that makes it conceivable to use much of the OS with a finger, rather than the stylus. It's not all there, of course: Archos had to build its own touchscreen keyboard to replace Microsoft's woefully inadequate implementation, and there's an optical mouse sensor on the side of the display and a stylus buried within to pick up the slack. Overall the hardware seems very solid and astonishingly dense, and despite the recent advancements we've seen in thin and light laptops, it's pretty incredible that Archos has a full Atom-based PC running inside this thin, fanless slab. What wasn't so incredible was the resistive touchscreen, at least on the unit we were playing with. Our touches kept getting misread inexplicably as an inch below where we were tapping, and it didn't feel like a "light touch" resistive model at all -- no confusing what we felt with capacitive, though perhaps we got a faulty unit. This is probably a scenario where resistive makes sense, but we'd say Archos has a lot of work to do on the drivers or something to make this more usable. The good news is that there will be an optional, super-slim external keyboard, which should make input on the 9 a bit less of a chore.
Willcom's full Summer '08 lineup
In addition to the 03, Willcom has unveiled a pair of other handsets for release this summer on its Japanese PHS airwaves. The 03's a hard one to top -- pretty much any smartphone, a morphing keypad, and a WVGA display is going to make things tough on the competition -- but Sharp has a second entry in the trio with the D4. Like the 03, the D4 packs Windows Mobile and a full QWERTY board, but unlike the 03, the D4 flips up all Kaiser-style, which should be just perfect for showing off the WSVGA (yes, wide super VGA) display. On the simpler end of the spectrum, the Willcom 9 is a chunky, blocky flip with a QVGA display, 1.3 megapixel camera, and NetFront browser that'll be available in black or white. Kind of anticlimactic when you put it up against those other two, but not everyone wants a smartphone. No, not even in Japan.Update: The D4 runs full-fledged Windows, not Windows Mobile -- makes more sense considering the monster specs. Thanks, everyone!
Dragon's Quest IX gameplay snippets
So, Dragon's Quest IX was announced for the DS recently, and though your classic J-RPG senses tingle, they may in fact go quite unsatisfied. As the mainstay series moves to a portable platform, there will also be some significant shifts in the classic DQ experience.DQIX seems to be leaning toward the action-RPG end of the role-playing spectrum, as the traditional random battles have been replaced by a Chrono Trigger-style "see the enemies in the field of play" approach. As all four characters' motion and actions are controlled independently, Square-Enix is pushing a four-player cooperative mode (via Wi-Fi? We still don't know) into the game. The players need not stay together; for instance, one player could journey into a nearby cave in search of treasure, while another can head back to town to pick up some much-needed curative supplies. Sounds simple, yet cool.Stylus control will be implemented, though details remain sketchy; Dragon's Quest IX will be released in 2007, and details remain awesome.
