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Flock updates to 0.60, adds features
We've covered Flock before, but just in case you didn't catch our previous posts, here's a quick rundown: Flock is an OS X/Linux/Windows open source "social web browser" built on the Firefox core, offering various well-integrated tools for contributing back to the web you're browsing. Amongst other things, it has a built-in blogging tool, bookmarks are saved to online sharing services (del.icio.us, and now Shadows), Flickr surfing/uploading and a whole lot more.I bring this all back up because I just noticed that Flock has updated their developer preview to version 0.60, with a lot of additions and improvements: drag and drop Flickr uploading, searching Flickr by tags and text, a new blog editing engine with support for categories in WordPress and other MovableType-based blogs, the shelf can act as a topbar, a new online bookmark service (Shadows.com) with support for private online favorites (del.icio.us doesn't do that), a Technorati topbar, a better RSS reader and more.While Flock is still a developer preview - which really means pre-beta - I recommend you still give it a look. I heard a podcast interview with one of their higher-ups who didn't recommend anyone pick it up as their main browser, but they still do a good number of things that either haven't been done in other browsers, or simply aren't done nearly as well through plugins and extensions. You can download the developer preview here, as well as a full list of release notes and changes here.[UPDATE: I'm not sure what's up with the Flock download page, but version 0.60 is apparently not available for download (the links point to the previous 0.4.10 version). TUAW reader Joel noted in the comments that the most recent version, 0.5.10, is available from the hourly builds page.]
Camino goes universal
Camino gets the distinction of being the first non-Apple browser to go universal. I just downloaded the latest nightly build (1.0rc1) as I'm addicted to this browser. It's very fast and nice looking to boot (but you knew that already). Check it out.
GL Image Browser
GL Image Browser is one of those great little free apps that I'm sure will quickly find its way into a lot of Docks. As the author says at Geekologic.com: "It is no iPhoto or Picasa clone, GL Image Browser is not meant as a tool to archive pictures, but as a tool to quickly browse through thousands of pictures to find a special one you are looking for." It's really simple: you can give GL Image Browser a directory to browse through, with an option to toggle whether it parses subdirectories. Clicking on an image displays it in a full-screen window, at which point you can either use your keys to keep navigating, or you can click again to get back to your desktop and the image browser. Right-clicking an image will reveal it in the Finder. I don't think it gets much simpler than this folks. I also don't see much in the way of system requirements other than QuickTime, since it apparently uses that somehow in the back end of the app. As I mentioned before, GL Image Browser is free, and I don't even see an option on the author's site to donate. Either way, enjoy this most excellent of handy little apps.[via MacNN]
Shiira 1.2.1
Shiira 1.2.1 has been released. Shiira is now a Universal application so once you get your hot little hands on a MacBook Pro you can run this favorite alternate web browser of ours. 1.2.1 also adds an 'autocomplete' function that stores your usernames and passwords in OS X's keychain for easy retrieval (plus it is secure).Sure this isn't the blockbuster release that 1.2 was, but for a .0.1 release it isn't too shabby.Update: We're getting a number of reports that 1.2.1 is a little 'buggy.' Specifically anything to do with auto complete causes the program to crash. Let us know in the comments if this is happening to you as well.
FlyakiteOSX v3 is amongst us
Last June we found an interesting site called FlyaKiteOSX, which acts more or less as a proof of concept site that re-creates the look, feel and experience of OS X (albeit in a small way) inside your browser. Once launched, the mock-up even has to "boot," giving you a brief moment with the typical grey loading screen and the Apple logo.FlyakiteOSX was at version 2 last June, but it has recently been updated to version 3, with "more files, more software, and more OS X than ever before." I honestly don't remember the previous version, but this new one is pretty impressive. A "working" copy of iTunes is even included, completely with a few artists and playable songs in its library. It seems to work pretty smoothly, as I haven't run into any browser-ish hiccups in either Safari or Camino on my Tiger machine. While this isn't amazingly useful, it is an interesting accomplishment in terms of the power of the web (or a glimpse of what's possible?), and at the very least, it's fun.
SafariTest
Snugtech.com is offering a free service called safaritest to all that are interested. You enter a URL into a form, select a width, and the type of image file you would like and the app returns an image of that website rendered on Safari.This is great for those web designers that can't afford a Mac but who still care what their sites will look like for Mac users.
Shiira 1.2 released
Wow, it really is a wonderful life. A new version of Shiira was released today, 1.2, with a ton of great new features. I had all but switched to Shiira a while back, when Firefox was too slow and Safari too annoying. But Shiira began to lag in the features department (particularly RSS support) and I had to drop it. Since the browser is based on Webkit, it makes sense to see some stuff now added: Universal Access support, Private browsing... And there are some unique features of Shiira, like the page transitions (sorta pointless, but fun to show PC lovers), and the incredibly handy Tab Exposé, which allows you to show all tabbed windows with a keystroke (why doesn't Safari have this?). One thing I really like about Shiira, however, is the ability to automatically use Safari bookmarks without importing, and it supports Firefox bookmarks. And don't forget the Shiira mini-browser.With the new RSS support, I can actually see using a browser as a feed reader. Maybe I was doing it wrong before, but the sidebar in Shiira makes a perfect companion to browsing. One nice little window on the side shows me new, unread stories as I surf. The less clicking, the better. The sidebar is really what got me to switch to Shiira to begin with, I just like having it available. It's a little redesigned in this version, and actually works better. Oh and did I mention Shiira supports themes?
Ingame music from the comfort of your browser
If you're away from your gaming PC and need a quick fix, the official World of Warcraft website now features a music player where you can listen to many of the in-game music tracks (as well as Warcraft III and Warcraft II tracks), plus two special dramatic episodes themed for Christmas and Halloween 2004. Complete with dancing ogre, it'll keep you going until you can get back to Azeroth.You can find the soundtrack on CD if you're especially enthusiastic, but as the CD came with pre-orders and the Collector's Edition of the game, you may need to hunt around on eBay for it.
Camino 1.0 alpha released
Camino, my favorite Firefox alternative that's OS X native and Mozilla-made, just reached 1.0 alpha status. The list of changes in the release notes is massive: faster page drawing speeds, new certificate management, downloads list saved between sessions.. let's just say that nearly every facet and function of the browser has received improvements, upgrades or new features. Go snag a copy at CaminoBrowser.org or peruse the full release notes if you have the time. On a side note: Since Camino is essentially a fully ported version of Firefox for OS X using both the Keychain and Services, would any heavy Firefox users out there want to chime in and let us know how well it performs, and if it plays with Firefox sites nicely?
Opera Still Offering Free Registration Codes
Yesterday we reported Opera was throwing a 10th anniversary party and offering free registrations for one day only. Well, it seems like the offer is still running today. I saw the story show up in MacNN's feed this morning and thought "What? That was yesterday..." and just figured they were late to the party. But sure enough: I went over to Opera's party page where the offer appeared and it's still available. I have no idea if this is a fluke or possibly a strategy to gain some marketshare, (I wonder if it's even working) but as of this writing you can still get a copy of the $39 Opera browser for free.[Update: Looks like the free offer has finally ended. The page has now reverted to mentioning their affiliat program through which you can still obtain a free copy - as long as you place an Opera button somewhere on your site and grab 250 unique clicks. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.]
