Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.downloadsquad.com/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[TripIt released for Android, updated for iPhone, coming soon for Blackberry]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/24/tripit-released-for-android-updated-for-iphone-coming-soon-for/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/24/tripit-released-for-android-updated-for-iphone-coming-soon-for/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/24/tripit-released-for-android-updated-for-iphone-coming-soon-for/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Travel management site TripIt have launched their mobile companion application for Android, available for download free of charge from the Android Market.

The new application, which is usable with both Standard and Pro TripIt accounts, allows you to access your travel itinerary direct from your Android phone, get maps and directions, make calls to airlines, hotels etc. as well as enabling flight alerts and alternate flight details for Pro users.

As well as launching on Android, TripIt have released an update to their iPhone application, available for download now from the App Store. The iPhone version adds support for Pro account features, as well as a number of useful travel tools including terminal maps, seating advice and live flight status.

If you have a Blackberry and you're feeling left out, fear not! The TripIt Blackberry application is currently in Beta, with release expected before the end of the year. Now how about good old Windows Mobile and that young upstart WebOS...?

TripIt released for Android, updated for iPhone, coming soon for Blackberry originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiphonetraveltripitTue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New in Google Labs for GMail - Green Robot!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/24/new-in-google-labs-for-gmail-green-robot/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/24/new-in-google-labs-for-gmail-green-robot/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/24/new-in-google-labs-for-gmail-green-robot/#commentsFiled under: , ,


There are some great little tweaks available in Google Labs for GMail, one of which is pictured above - 'Green Robot!'!

Like many of the labs additions (accessed by clicking the little green conical flask at the top of the GMail page), the beauty of Green Robot is in it's simplicity. It changes the appearance of your Google Talk contact list to illustrate which of your contacts are using Google Talk from their Android mobile device - handy!

If you haven't checked out the contents of the laboratory yet it's well worth a visit - I have a total of 12 labs features enabled on my account at this time which really smooth my GMail experience.

My labs features at the time of writing are Offline Mail, Message Translation, Sender Time Zone, Mark as Read Button, Inbox Preview - to let you view your inbox contents as the main site loads, Multiple Inboxes - to allow me to view a specific subset of my messages in a seperate 'pane', Undo Send, Green Robot (of course), Search Autocomplete, Inserting Images, Google Docs Gadget and the ability to Add Any Gadget by URL.

Which labs features are you using?

New in Google Labs for GMail - Green Robot! originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gmailgoogle mailGoogleMaillabsTue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seesmic Mobile arrives for Android and Blackberry]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/seesmic-mobile-arrives-for-android-and-blackberry/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/seesmic-mobile-arrives-for-android-and-blackberry/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/seesmic-mobile-arrives-for-android-and-blackberry/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Seesmic have released their 'Seesmic Mobile' Twitter client for Android and Blackberry on their respective application stores. Available for download free of charge, the clients are slick, feature packed and refreshingly free of advertisements.

The Android client (pictured above) has a great design that utilises a standard tab-based user interface with a red accent, providing virtually every feature (bar multiple account support) that a Twitterer could desire. Included are the ability to scroll without limits back through your timeline, photo and video upload (either from your device camera or from the gallery) via a variety of online services, the ability to add your location to your tweet, URL shortening, saving tweets-in-progress as drafts, switchable full name / username display and very granular notifications.

The Blackberry application also features a native-feeling UI and adds lists and saved search support, albeit at the expense of video and location features.

If you give Seesmic Mobile a try, let us know how you get on and - of course - don't forget to follow @downloadsquad!

Seesmic Mobile arrives for Android and Blackberry originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidblackberryfreewaremicrobloggingmobilerimseesmicseesmic mobileSeesmicMobilesocialtwitterMon, 23 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SEVEN on Android - Ah, push it - push it real good...]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/seven-on-android-ah-push-it-push-it-real-good/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/seven-on-android-ah-push-it-push-it-real-good/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/seven-on-android-ah-push-it-push-it-real-good/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The SEVEN Beta setup is an interesting one.

As a company, Seven (enough capitalising already!) sell their excellent push e-mail products only via mobile operator channels, however their Beta program is an excellent way for users on unsupported carriers (that's likely you and I) to enjoy their software.

Available in a variety of editions on a variety of platforms, Seven's software allows you to receive push mail on your device from a variety of services - Exchange, Yahoo, GMail, AOL Mail, HoTMaiL and standard POP and IMAP services are all supported. A Beta release it might be (with the usual associated disclaimers), but the application is a supremely useful piece of software that i've been using for many years to push synchronise GMail with my Windows Mobile devices.

I happened to visit the Seven Beta site earlier today to download the latest Windows Mobile client and I was intrigued to notice that an Android download option had appeared. Obviously I had to download the application and take a look!

As expected, it's a Seven client for the Android OS that includes all of the goodness that i'm used to - push mail across a host of platforms, 'quiet times' when push can be automatically disabled, multiple accounts, server contact search, customisable notifications and more! Although the currently version of the software is missing a few features i'd like to see (primarily HTML mail), for Android users it can often be a trying task getting mail set up and working as desired if you are using something other than GMail, and Seven is making that story easier. I've been pushing an additional e-mail account and a HoTMaiL account all day without any issues!

If you'd like to try out Seven on Android (or indeed any of their other support platforms, which include WinMo Standard / Professional, Symbian S60, Palm OS and even J2ME!) then head on over to the Seven Community Forum to sign up for an account.

SEVEN on Android - Ah, push it - push it real good... originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ExchangeGMailHoTMaiLMobile MinuteMobileMinutePush MailPushMailSevenYahooMon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Socialite (Née Eventbox) for OS X heads towards 1.0]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/socialite-nee-eventbox-for-osx-heads-towards-1-0/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/socialite-nee-eventbox-for-osx-heads-towards-1-0/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/socialite-nee-eventbox-for-osx-heads-towards-1-0/#commentsFiled under: ,


Socialite (Née Eventbox) for OSX is now available in Beta 3 form prior to an expected full release later this month.

Originally developed by TheCosmicMachine before being acquired by respected Mac house Realmac Software (creators of RapidWeaver and LittleSnapper), Socialite provides single client access to your favourite social networks. Currently supporting Digg, Facebook, Flickr, Google Reader, RSS feeds and Twitter (with the historical support for OneRiot, Identi.ca and Reddit now removed), Socialite takes your presence off the web and into a smooth UI in the finest native style.

The latest Beta adds support for Twitter lists as well as implementing a host of under-the-hood improvements. As a long time Eventbox owner the promise of a one stop social networks centre continues to appeal and Socialite looks like a worthy upgrade!

The Socialite Beta 3 release is currently available free from the Realmac forums and will cost $20 when it is released. Existing Eventbox owners will receive a free serial number for the new product.

Socialite (Née Eventbox) for OS X heads towards 1.0 originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacommercialdiggeventboxfacebookflickrmacintoshrealmacsocialitetwitterMon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Opera 10.10 with Unite and Turbo now available]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/opera-10-10-with-unite-and-turbo-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/opera-10-10-with-unite-and-turbo-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/opera-10-10-with-unite-and-turbo-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Opera have released version 10 of their browser, now with Opera Unite and Opera Turbo included.

Opera Unite gives your web browser the ability to deliver content as well as consume it. The standard download includes a number of Unite applications, with more available for download from the application directory. The bundled applications include a file sharing server that allows you to make files available to the world (as well as allowing the world to upload content to your machine), a virtual fridge door for you to share notes with friends and family (pictured), a media player that allows you to play content from your Unite equipped machine remotely, an instant messaging server, a photo sharing application and a web server for serving your own web content.

The inclusion of Opera Turbo in the new browser marks the migration to the desktop of a technology that has long been a key feature of Opera's Mini product. Opera Turbo speeds up your browsing session by compressing content at Opera proxy servers before delivering it to your machine - particularly useful for those on low bandwidth connections.

Opera 10.10 is available free from www.opera.com for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

We're intrigued to hear what you, our lovely readers, think about Opera's advancements. They have an excellent, solid browser base and some truly unique additional features... are you tempted to make the switch?

Opera 10.10 with Unite and Turbo now available originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10linuxmacOperaTurboUniteupdatewindowsMon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Opera 10 Beta for Windows Mobile released]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/18/opera-10-beta-for-windows-mobile-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/18/opera-10-beta-for-windows-mobile-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/18/opera-10-beta-for-windows-mobile-released/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Over the past few years, Opera Mobile has become the browser of choice for the majority of Windows Mobile users. Shipped as the default browser on many devices and available as download for others, Opera Mobile addresses the many failings of the preinstalled IE browser with better performance, variable zoom and text reflowing as well as a polished and intuitive UI.

Pushing the mobile browser closer to a desktop grade experience is the promise of Opera's latest release, Opera 10 Beta for Windows Mobile.

The Opera Mobile 10 Beta overhauls the look and feel of it's predecessors and is similar in design to the Opera 10 desktop browser as well as the Java based Opera Mini 5 beta. The UI overhaul brings Opera's offering across all of it's platforms in line, as well as providing a great range of features from the desktop platform including Speed Dial, tabbed browsing, a password manager and Opera's server side compression technology, 'Opera Turbo'.

I've had a try of the new browser and it does indeed feel more consistent in style with Opera's Java based offering, no bad thing as Opera Mini has always made excellent use of the available screen real estate. Performance seems great and the UI seems intuitive. Some features found in previous releases don't seem to have made it into version 10 yet - we spotted a lack of device rotate support and no support for multitouch zoom on the HTC HD2, but Opera does look set to maintain it's class leading position on the Windows Mobile platform.

The Opera Mobile 10 Beta is available for free download now from the Opera website.

Continue reading Opera 10 Beta for Windows Mobile released

Opera 10 Beta for Windows Mobile released originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrowserOperaOpera MobileOperaMobileWindows MobileWindowsMobileWed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows Live Sync finally gets an update for Snow Leopard]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/03/windows-live-sync-finally-gets-an-update-for-snow-leopard/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/03/windows-live-sync-finally-gets-an-update-for-snow-leopard/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/03/windows-live-sync-finally-gets-an-update-for-snow-leopard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been a long, long wait for Snow Leopard users (myself included) who are dancing with the devil and using Microsoft's Windows Live Sync (formerly Foldershare), but Microsoft have finally announced an update for the application that resolves a long running compatibility problem with Apple's finest.

Wearing version number 14.0.8096.0903, the new release fixes a problem with internal security certificates that completely prevented Snow Leopard users from logging into their Windows Live Sync account.

Announced on the Windows Live Sync blog, the update only includes the aforementioned fix and does not include any new features - existing users who have not migrated to Snow Leopard do not need to upgrade.

I'm pleased to report that i've installed the update and it works great!

Windows Live Sync finally gets an update for Snow Leopard originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>foldersharesnow leopardSnowLeopardsyncwindows livewindows live syncWindowsLiveWindowsLiveSyncTue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tell DLS: What are your top 10 must-have apps? - Linux!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/16/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-must-have-apps-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/16/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-must-have-apps-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/16/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-must-have-apps-linux/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's time for the third installment of our 'Tell DLS' feature and today i'm sharing my top 10 must-have apps for Linux with you, our lovely readers.

I confess to not really being a Linux expert, generally using OS X for the majority of my working day and using Windows and Linux only when the need arises. With that said, I think I have some great applications in my list!

Of course, being a 'Tell DLS' feature, we want this to be all about sharing your experience too - so please post your chosen top 10 in the comments.

Read on after the jump for my top 10 (how many can you identify from the icons above?).

Continue reading Tell DLS: What are your top 10 must-have apps? - Linux!

Tell DLS: What are your top 10 must-have apps? - Linux! originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linuxTell DLStell-dlsTellDlsFri, 16 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Astraware Solitaire and Sudoku titles now available for Android]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/astraware-solitaire-and-sudoku-titles-now-available-for-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/astraware-solitaire-and-sudoku-titles-now-available-for-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/astraware-solitaire-and-sudoku-titles-now-available-for-android/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Astraware - long time software developers for Windows Mobile, Palm and more recently iPhone, Symbian and Blackberry - have now entered the rapidly growing Android software market with the release of two of their top titles - Astraware Solitaire and Astraware Sudoku.

Astraware Solitaire features 12 different single player card games in the one download, with the ability to customise each game to play 'your way'. A wide choice of card backs is included, together with an optional 'clear' card face. The application also features unlockable rewards.

Astraware Sudoku includes some great features including smart hints, pencil marks, hold-and-highlight to help beginners, a downloadable 'Puzzle of the Day' from the dedicated companion website (which also includes tips on solving techniques) and a puzzle solver to help you complete those troublesome puzzles in the newspaper!

Available for immediate download from the Android Market, both games are priced at $4.99 each and feature design and controls optimised for Android while still retaining an 'Astraware feel' that will be familiar to anyone who has used Astraware products before.

Astraware Solitaire and Sudoku titles now available for Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAstrawareSolitaireSudokuFri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mobile Minute: BlackBerry Desktop for Mac released]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/mobile-minute-blackberry-desktop-for-mac-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/mobile-minute-blackberry-desktop-for-mac-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/mobile-minute-blackberry-desktop-for-mac-released/#commentsFiled under: ,

After a long, long wait, RIM have finally released their Blackberry Desktop sync product for Mac OS X.

The application allows you to sync your iTunes playlists, calendars, contacts, notes and tasks with your BlackBerry, manage applications, apply software updates and backup and restore your device (with support for scheduled updates and encryption).

Blackberry Desktop for Mac can manage multiple BlackBerry devices and is a free download.

Mobile Minute: BlackBerry Desktop for Mac released originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryblackberry desktopBlackberryDesktopmacFri, 02 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[djay for Mac hits version 3, look great, sounds even greater]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/djay-for-mac-hits-version-3-look-great-sounds-even-greater/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/djay-for-mac-hits-version-3-look-great-sounds-even-greater/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/djay-for-mac-hits-version-3-look-great-sounds-even-greater/#commentsFiled under: ,


Mac OSX application djay, pitched as 'the world's sexiest DJ software' (I'm inclined to agree), has been updated to version 3.

Featuring a user interface that is likely to make Windows users cry in the corner and a featureset to match, djay reads your iTunes library and turns your Mac into a full on DJ system that is well suited to both beginners and professionals.

djay's range of functions really are too extensive to list here but in essence, djay allows you to drag and drop from your iTunes library and mix them either manually or using an 'automix' function. djay has full beat and tempo detection for seamless mixing, auto volume control and a range of effects you can apply to your tracks. Everything you would do on a set of turntables is here - you can even plug in a set of headphones to pre-cue the next song, and connect a microphone to do a bit of MC'ing!

djay stands out as a great example of an application really tuned for OS X - as well as that gorgeous user interface, multitouch gestures are supported if you are using a Macbook / Pro. MIDI devices can also be connected and mapped to application functions as desired.

Your hot mixes can be recorded from within the application itself for use later.

Check out a video of djay in action after the jump!

Continue reading djay for Mac hits version 3, look great, sounds even greater

djay for Mac hits version 3, look great, sounds even greater originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DJdjayitunesmixerFri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TrialPay launches 'TheBigBundle' charity bundle]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/trialpay-launches-thebigbundle-charity-bundle/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/trialpay-launches-thebigbundle-charity-bundle/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/trialpay-launches-thebigbundle-charity-bundle/#commentsFiled under:



Trialpay, specialists in providing commercial software for free in return for completing partner offers, have launched 'TheBigBundle', a $29.99 / $49.99 bundle of software / discounts in which 100% of the profits are donated to the American Cancer Society.

The bundle - which is priced at $29.99 with an optional additional $20 donation - includes a somewhat strange mix of benefits worth a total of over $700, ranging from a $10 Papa Johns gift card for the first 2,500 buyers to a free copy of Cyberlink MediaShow 5, valued at $49.95.

Buyers can receive a 50% discount on the bundle by becoming a fan of the bundle on Facebook and changing their profile picture which, while a good way to save money, seems somewhat against the spirit of the charitable donation. Buyers can also receive the bundle completely free by applying for (and being approved for) a Discover card.

TheBigBundle runs for 14 days from midnight last night or until the 100,000th bundle is sold - whichever comes first.

TrialPay launches 'TheBigBundle' charity bundle originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigbundlebundlecharitabletrialpayFri, 02 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Beta now available]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-beta-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-beta-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-beta-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The Beta release of Canonical's new baby, Ubuntu 9.10 'Karmic Koala', is now available for download.

As well as the usual host of version updates to each of the components (including Firefox finally getting an official update to 3.5), changes in 9.10 include a visual refresh, a boot sequence improved in both appearance and performance, inclusion of the new 'Ubuntu Software Center' (which replaces 'Add/Remove' in the applications menu), Gnome 2.28 (which sees the Pidgin IM client replaced with Empathy), rapid application development with Quickly, Ubuntu One file sharing, Linux kernel 2.6.31, Intel's new UXA video driver architecture for improved performance on Intel hardware, ext4 as the default filesystem (replacing ext3), GRUB2 as the default bootloader, improved iSCSI support, updated and improved AppArmor and Uncomplicated Firewall - you can read the full list on the Beta page.

Ubuntu 9.10 is available for download in both ISO format (directly and via Bittorrent) and for the first time in Cloud image format for use with Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud (UEC) and Amazon's EC2.

Only one Beta version of Karmic Koala will be available - the release candidate arrives October 22nd (the release date for Windows 7!) before the final release lands on October 29th.

Gallery: Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala


Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Beta now available originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canonicalkarmic koalaKarmicKoalaubuntuFri, 02 Oct 2009 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Offline sync now enabled for Spotify Premium subscribers]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/01/offline-sync-now-enabled-for-spotify-premium-subscribers/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/01/offline-sync-now-enabled-for-spotify-premium-subscribers/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/01/offline-sync-now-enabled-for-spotify-premium-subscribers/#comments
When online streaming service Spotify released their mobile clients for iPhone and Android, many users commented on how the offline synchronisation features provided for mobile users would also be useful in the Windows and Mac offerings, particularly for laptop users. Well, what do you know, Spotify have just added the exact same feature to their desktop clients!

Manifesting itself as a nice simple toggle switch (pictured above) and only available to users with a paid premium subscription (currently £9.99 / $15), the new functionality works beautifully and is a great way for Spotify to add value.

Spotify streams it's tunes in the open source OGG format, however it is not clear whether DRM is applied to the downloaded files or whether they are simply 'disguised' by way of obscure filenames.

Spotify is yet to make clear it's intentions with regards to launching in the US.

[via The Guardian]

Offline sync now enabled for Spotify Premium subscribers originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>music streamingMusicStreamingspotifyThu, 01 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NetNewsWire reaches version 3.2, finalises Google Reader support + ads]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/24/netnewswire-reaches-version-3-2-finalises-google-reader-support/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/24/netnewswire-reaches-version-3-2-finalises-google-reader-support/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/24/netnewswire-reaches-version-3-2-finalises-google-reader-support/#comments
NetNewsWire, the Mac OS X RSS client from Newsgator, has reached version 3.2, bringing out of Beta the application's Google Reader support.

Formerly used to connect to Newsgator's own servers, NetNewsWire entered a period of rapid change on 30th July, when it was announced on Newsgator's blog that the consumer back end service was to be discontinued on August 31st 2009.

Although NetNewsWire has always been a great application, I think many users, like me, were torn between the excellent online service that Google Reader offered and the leading desktop client experience provided by NetNewsWire. Thankfully the shift by Newsgator to the Google Reader back-end made this problem go away. Hurrah!

As well as Google Reader compatibility, Instapaper posting, the ability to subscribe to authenticated feeds, improved Snow Leopard compatibility and a host of tweaks and fixes, the new release makes another significant change - the move to an ad supported model. Previously NetNewsWire was completely free, however there is now a small advertisement in the bottom left corner that can be removed by registering for the very reasonable price of $9.95.

Newsgator's Windows client FeedDemon has also undergone the same changes (and shares the same pricing model), as we covered earlier today.

NetNewsWire reaches version 3.2, finalises Google Reader support + ads originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>google readerGoogleReadernetnewswirenewsgatorrssThu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza Motorsport 3 Demo now available for download on Xbox Live]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/24/forza-motorsport-3-demo-now-available-for-download-on-xbox-live/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/24/forza-motorsport-3-demo-now-available-for-download-on-xbox-live/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/24/forza-motorsport-3-demo-now-available-for-download-on-xbox-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The playable demo of Forza Motorsport 3 for Xbox 360 is now available for download on Xbox Live for Gold level members.

The eagerly awaited third installment in the massively succesful racing franchise is due for release on October 23rd, but Forza fans can get behind the wheel of 5 cars and 1 track today and experience the full cockpit view, damage and rollover features as well as the game's new 'rewind' function.

The cars featured in the demo are the 2007 Porsche #80 Flying Lizard 911 GT3-RSR, 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro, 2009 Ferrari California, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR and 2009 Mini John Cooper Works, all of which can be given a thrashing around the game's Spanish mountain circuit named 'Camino Viejo'.

The demo also allows players to post their laptimes to online leaderboards.

So that's the rest of my day written off then (once the 1.25GB download completes)!

Forza Motorsport 3 Demo now available for download on Xbox Live originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forzaxboxxbox 360Xbox360Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tell DLS: Twitter - what would you change?]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/tell-dls-twitter-what-would-you-change/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/tell-dls-twitter-what-would-you-change/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/tell-dls-twitter-what-would-you-change/#comments
We recently posted a piece about whether a URL should really count towards your 140 character limit. We also posted yesterday about Twitter's new re-tweet model and this set me thinking about what I like and don't like about Twitter and what i'd change.

Although Twitter's roots are in SMS - hence the 140 character limit - i'd love to see a standard for tweeting longer content. I would love to be able to tweet, say, 420 characters (i.e. 3 x 140) and have the Twitter systems able to deal with that. For people on SMS it could read (1/3), (2/3) etc, but the Twitter site itself and client applications could display the full message 'reconstructed'.

Ånother feature I would like to see on Twitter, which would probably need to be implemented by client developers, would be a spoiler tag. I read my Twitter feed very frequently, but one example of where this is inconvenient is when i've timeshifted some sport (e.g. F1!) and my tweets read like a running commentary! If my clients could support a spoiler tag, where I had to 'click to reveal' the content (and of course my friends were disciplined enough to use it) then that would solve the problem! I imagine a tweet would look something like "#f1 #spoiler Hamilton and Button just got taken out at the first corner!' - and all content after the #spoiler tag is hidden until I click.

As it is I just try and avoid Twitter until i've watched the event.

They are a couple of things I'd love to see to improve my Twitter experience, but i'm really interested to hear what Twitter fans here on DownloadSquad would change about the service.

Feel free to share in the comments, and don't forget you can follow us on Twitter via @DownloadSquad.

Tell DLS: Twitter - what would you change? originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>TwitterWed, 23 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WebIS prepares Pocket Informant 9 for Windows Mobile release]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/webis-prepares-pocket-informant-9-for-windows-mobile-release/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/webis-prepares-pocket-informant-9-for-windows-mobile-release/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/webis-prepares-pocket-informant-9-for-windows-mobile-release/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Long time Windows Mobile developer WebIS have announced on their blog the forthcoming release of Pocket Informant 9, their brilliant PIM replacement product, cementing their commitment to the platform despite recent BlackBerry and iPhone releases.

The update, which can be downloaded in CAB form from the WebIS site as part of a 'soft launch', is 100% complete, awaiting supporting documentation and translations before making it's full debut.

Originally released in 2001, Pocket Informant consistently scoops up Windows Mobile software awards and is one of the best selling applications on the platform.

Version 9 adds features specifically tailored for Windows Mobile 6.5, as well as being backward compatible with previous Windows Mobile releases. New gesture support built into WM 6.5 enables swiping left and right in Day, Agenda, Month View, Week, Task View, and Date Picker to navigate between time periods and swiping left and right in editors to navigate between the tabs.

As well as the new gesture functionality, the new update adds new events and journal views, GTD support in tasks (Inbox, Context Groups, Project Groups, Next Actions), starred tasks, 'bounce scrolling', contact links directly in task / appointment subjects, a one month date picker based on the full month view, a month view free time finder, touch friendly editors, much improved touch support, full PNG support for icons and a free add-on pack of over 1200 icons.

Pocket Informant 9 is expected to receive a full release around 28th September, $10 cheaper than version 8 at $19.95, but if you'd like to try it out in the meantime, head on over to the Pocket Informant download server to grab a CAB format release.

WebIS prepares Pocket Informant 9 for Windows Mobile release originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Pocket InformantPocketInformantWindows MobileWindows Mobile 6.5WindowsMobileWed, 23 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Hero users hit by Twitpocalyse bug]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/htc-hero-users-hit-by-twitpocalyse-bug/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/htc-hero-users-hit-by-twitpocalyse-bug/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/23/htc-hero-users-hit-by-twitpocalyse-bug/#comments
It's great having lots of manufacturer provided applications in the ROM of your mobile device, but what happens if one of them breaks? It's not as easy as just contacting the developer for an updated version is it!

This is exactly the problem being faced by users of 'HTC Peep', the Twitter client on the HTC Hero.

Last night, the unique id number assigned to each Tweet exceeded 4,294,967,295, in an event we covered as 'Twitpocalyse II'. This is the highest number that can be stored in an unsigned 32 bit integer. If the developer of a Twitter client uses this method to store the Tweet ID, then unexpected things will happen. Hence, since this occured, Peep users have been unable to use the application, instead being greeted by the error message above (after which the application either closes or refuses to load new tweets).

We have contacted HTC to ask how long Hero users should expect to wait for a fix, but if you are affected, it might be time to try out Twidroid, Twitterride or perhaps Swift!

UPDATE: HTC have responded to this issue. They have said "Thanks for helping to make us aware of the details of this problem. We have are investigating the issue and are working with Twitter on a solution. We apologize to our users for any inconvenience this has caused."

We'll bring you more information as it comes in.

HTC Hero users hit by Twitpocalyse bug originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>herohtchtc heroHtcHeropeeptwitterWed, 23 Sep 2009 10:31:00 EST