The good folks at Sonos just stopped by our office to give us a preview of their brand new Controller application for the Apple iPad, and boy is it sexy. If you’re a Sonos fan (you know we are) and you have an iPad, this will be a no-brainer when it’s released within the next two months in the App Store for free. For starters, just by taking advantage of the extra screen real estate, the software guys at Sonos have masterfully developed a three column view that just looks incredibly slick and functions even better. We’re talking a completely new spin on the Sonos remote control experience, and we can easily see these things taking over living rooms, kitchen tables, and practically anywhere else music is listened to.

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What, you thought Skyfire for BlackBerry was totally dead in the water? Nope. They’re back at it again, restarting their alpha program for testers. The latest version is upped to 3.5 and has some nice improvements like downloading files from the browser to your device, setting Skyfire as the default BlackBerry browser and a bunch more. Check out the release notes after the jump.

“We are coming back with a new iteration for the Blackberry Alpha. 

As you are aware we temporarily closed the Blackberry Alpha. We planned for a certain number of users on our Alpha system that was quickly exceeded with the leak of the client outside the Alpha community. Please stick to the understanding of the Alpha program and NDA – it is NOT for open distribution. It just creates hassle for all people involved and spoils the experience for our Alpha participants.

This Alpha 3.5 is still targeted for Blackberry Bold mainly firmware 4.6.0.167 and 4.6.0.247 devices. , Feel free to try out the build as well on Blackberry 8900 and 5.0.xx firmware versions of Bold.

The version of Alpha 3.5 is 1.0.0.12799.

What got removed in Alpha 3.5 (vs. Alpha 3.1)?

• Stream Mode: We are actively working on an alternate method to provide streaming for Blackberry that will provide better performance and reduces the number of errors during streaming. This work has not been concluded yet. In the meantime we removed the existing stream mode. Stay tuned!

Thus please focus feedback for Alpha 3.5 on page load experience and basic browsing vs. the media experience.

What’s new in Alpha 3.5

• Inline Text Entry: You can now edit/enter form elements directly within the page, without being interrupted by a dialog box. Makes it more direct, convenient and retains the context.
• Click-to Call: The Blackberry client now will utilize tags in websites that trigger a phone call, when clicked (e.g. callto: and tel: links). You have to confirm before the call is initiated.
• Set as Default Browser: when set, links will open Skyfire
• Downloading of Files: you can now invoke the download of files to your device.
• Improved Scrolling: Further tweaking since the last Alpha.
• Reduced Checkerboard occurrences
• Alpha limit: We implemented a simple mechanism to limit the number of new users in our system. Once reached you see a message. If you encounter this and are part of this Alpha group then please contact us.

Known bugs in this Alpha

• Clear cookies: When you clear cookies in advanced settings it will not work. Will be addressed in the next release.
• Inline Text: We are seeing several issues.
• Sometimes old text is visible (Issue 331 & 409), when re-entering text box, the cursor is positioned at the beginning of the text field (Issue 333).
• Download: timeout when downloading large files (Issue 435)”

We just got a heads up that because one of the alpha builds for Skyfire for BlackBerry was leaked earlier, Skyfire is taking the servers offline for the next couple weeks. Our guess is that they’re going to implement some sort of security protocol for alpha testers going forward, and you can chalk this up to leaked software ruining the world forever. Here’s the text:

“Today our alpha application was leaked. We are temporarily halting our Alpha program. As you know, we were working with a small group of you under NDA and our intent was not to open the program beyond that small number right now.

We appreciate your feedback on Alpha3, and in the next few weeks we’ll be sending you a new build to test. In the meantime, the servers will be down and you will not be able to use the application.”

We’re getting closer, WinMo fans. Mozilla has just released the second Alpha build of its highly, highly anticipated mobile version of Firefox. Still dubbed Fennec for the time being, Windows Mobile users who aren’t infatuated with Skyfire can now head over to Mozilla’s website and download the official Alpha 2 version of the browser. This latest version is still a testing version as the name might suggest, and it’s quite rough around the edges. Nonetheless, progress is steady and this latest version includes the following improvements:

• Improved panning performance
• Newly designed theme
• JavaScript error console is now built in
• Improved add-on support
• Numerous bug fixes
• Improved UI polish

This release is available for anyone running Windows Mobile 6 — not just HTC Touch Pro users like the last release. Woo hoo! If anyone takes the plunge and installs this alpha version, hit us in the comments section with your first impressions.

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BlackBerrys are great for a lot of things but web browsing just isn’t one of them. The default web browser really isn’t all that suitable for anything more than WAP sites and, well, it’s painfully slow. Because of this, a large number of BlackBerry users turn to third-party browsers such as Opera Mini and Bolt to fill the mobile web void that has been forced upon them. While both are good third-party browsers in their own right, they’re nothing like the amazingly adept Skyfire browser that is available to WinMo and S60 users. A BlackBerry version has long been one of the most wanted BlackBerry apps, but so far Skyfire hasn’t done anything about it. That is, until now. We’ve been receiving a steady flow of tips from elated BlackBerry users who have been offered the chance to alpha test Skyfire for BlackBerry. Testing will begin shortly with Bold users and then be expanded to those with a Curve, Pearl and 8830 (no, there is no mention of the Storm) which means that within the next few weeks some lucky people will be running around with Flash, Quicktime and Silverlight-capable BlackBerrys. Hit up the jump for the email that Skyfire sent out.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Hello,
You sent us an email asking about Skyfire for the BlackBerry.  We are looking for early Alpha testers to help us develop Skyfire for BlackBerry. If you like to be the first on the block, and on the bleeding edge (bugs!), please sign up and give us a steady stream of feedback so together we can make browsing on the BlackBerry the best it can be.

To participate, you will need:

• BlackBerry Bold, Curve, Pearl or 8830  (Note: we are kick starting the alpha with the Bold)
• Live in the US
• Participate under NDA
• Post your feedback and experience in our User Forum
• Be capable and willing to install new alpha releases as we publish them

If you’d like to participate, please send an email to [redacted] and tell us

• Preferred email address
• Cellular carrier
• BlackBerry model
• BlackBerry phone number (to send you links to download)

We’ll send you the NDA and details about the program.

Thanks,
Skyfire Support

UPDATE: Skyfire shot us an email and asked us to let us you all know that the alpha is now full.

Good news, Mac users, as it looks like Apple is kicking 10.5.7 development into overdrive. Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5.7 build 9J22 went out to testers about a week ago and called for attention to a variety of areas of the OS. Apparently testers did a hell of a job because an updated build, 9J27, was sent out yesterday to address a laundry list of issues. We still have no firm word in terms of when Apple hopes to release 10.5.7 to the public, though previous rumors suggest it may happen quite soon. Hit the jump for the current status of 10.5.7 as provided by Apple with build 9J27.

Known Issues

• Safari 4 Beta only installs on Mac OS X 10.5.6.
• CoreRAIDServer crashes once per restart

General Focus Areas

• AFP
• AirPort
• Bluetooth
• Directory Services
• FileSync
• Graphics Drivers
• iCal
• iDisk Synching
• Mail
• Managed Client
• MobileMe Synching
• Networking
• Parental Controls
• Printing
• Screen Sharing
• Sound
• Time Machine
• USB
• VPN
• Widgets
• X11

Areas of Change

• Resolved issue with launchd and LoginWindow capturing crash data
• Issue with LoginWindow and FileVault remote backups fixed
• Fixed problem with Time Capsule and sparse image backups
• Fixed issue with Print & Fax pref pane and managing settings
• Resolved crashing issue with Parental Controls and System Preferences
• Fixed problem with HFS and MBR partitioned volumes
• Fixed hanging issue with MobileMe Sync tab
• Fixed issue with iCalExternalSync and iCal Synchronization
• Issue with AC interrupts and Sleep/Wake
• Fixed problem with Portable Home Directories and Login/Logout not syncing

Issues fixed in previous seeds:

• Resolved issue with Mail accounts and syncing
• Fixed issue with CoreAnimation and mouse movement between snapshots
• Fixed problem with System Profiler Plug-Ins and panic logs
• Resolved crashing issue with Help Viewer
• Resolved crashing issue with Preview Image
• Fixed issue with IOHIDPosteEvent()
• Fixed problem with MobileMe AOSNotification not sending JID
• Resolved issue with AddressBook Sync and Mail Addressing
• Fixed problem with NSOperationQueue and PThreads
• Fixed issue with LoginWindow UI and AirPort
• Issue with Virtual Memory and wired pages fixed
• Images are now retained when syncing between two Macs using Mail Sync
• Resolved issue with CFNetwork Host and AppStore loading delays
• Issue with Networking and TCP FIN resolved
• Issue with FPCatalog search and AFP X Client resolved
• File/Folder label changes over AFP now visible without unmounting/remounting
• Fixed problem with NSView and layer-backed views inside a scroll
• NSURLConnection now correctly notifies client before transmission
• Resolved NSinvalidSendPortExceptions with Sync Services Engine
• Fixed problem with CFNetwork Cookies and SAP cookie path
• Resolved issue with CFNetwork Cache and DF URL cache
• Fixed problem with iCal CalDAV and cancelled meetings still showing up for attendees
• Hanging issue with CFURLCache thread fixed
• Issue with MobileMe AOSNotification connection failures resolved
• Resolved issue with Safari and certain cookies not being accepted
• Fixed crashing issue with mdworker and signed messages
• Resolved issue with MCX Client and visible groups
• Resolved value issue with cupsBorderlessScalingFactor
• Issue with CoreData Framework and foreign key references resolved
• Fixed issue with Weather Widget and default city selection
• CoreData Framework now ensures cached statements are nulled out after being finalized in the event of an error
• Resolved issue with Desktop Services where desktop may not update correctly
• Fixed value issue with Unit Converter Widget
• Resolved issue with NSData and CoreData Framework
• Fixed issue with ImageCapture not recognizing certain CompactFlash card adapters
• Fixed issue with CUPS and Print & Fax Preference Pane
• Resolved issue with CoreData fetch and CoreData Framework
• Fixed issue where Stocks Widget was unresponsive in certain situations
• iCalExternalSync no longer wrongly clears the “original date” field of a detached Task
• Fixed issue where Preferences Sync would use excessive CPU cycles
• Fixed problem with delegate windows and multiple error messages with iCal DAV
• Issue with HICocoaView and mouse tracking resolved
• Fixed button issue with Energy Saver pref pane
• issue with Login window and MCX Client resolved
• Fixed issue with Netbooting and the Energy Saver pref pane
• Fixed problem with AMDocumentVersion and Automator Application
• Updated ICC Profiles in ColorSync Registry
• Issue with last modification date and Sync Services Engine resolved
• Resolved issue with NSSpellChecker and custom NSSpellServer servers
• Fixed issue with Time Machine Preferences and previously used backup volumes
• Fixed problem with DSADplugin and User vs Contact
• Issue with Text Services Manager and Dvorak Keyboard layout fixed
• Resolved crashing issue with NSTreeController
• Fixed whitelist issue with Parental Controls
• Resolved automatic iCal MobileMe sync issue with iCal Synchronization
• Fixed crashing issue with HLTB Menus and status bar
• Resolved issue with AFP X Client and AFP sessions not disconnecting after volumes are dismounted
• Issue with AXUIElementPostKeyboardEvent and HLTB Accessibility fixed
• Fixed USB tranfer issue with printing large PostScript files
• Fixed movie title issue with Movie Widget
• Resolved Non-Administrator issue with Energy Saver pref pane
• Fixed issue with Bluetooth mouse and button settings after disconnect/reconnect
• Fixed problem with XServe Netboot and launched
• Fixed issue with Text (AppKit) where enabling garbage collection would cause autocomplete popup to automatically close
• Fixed image orientation issue with Image RAW
• Issue with HLTB Menus and OpenSubmenu fixed
• Issue with HLTB Windows and child windows fixed
• Issue with FileSync and login/logout resolved
• Resolved issue with Image RAW and image conversion

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Sure, there are other services that try and do the same thing, but Qik holds a special place in our hearts. Ever since they announced and released the first streaming client for the Nokia N95, we’ve been pressuring them to release a BlackBerry client. As you are all well aware, RIM doesn’t exactly give you access to everything you need as a developer so this was almost impossible until recently. It’s still not 100% as Qik would like even more integration into the device, but for now, this is an incredible feat and we’re thrilled. The client is available starting now in alpha form, so don’t get your panties in a bunch if it’s not perfect — Qik is banging out releases faster than you can stream a 10kb movie. We’ll update you when the client comes out of the alpha/beta, but for now, hit the jump and behold every BlackBerry user’s dream: broadcasting live video from your device! Press release is after the jump.

Qik, Inc., the leading live mobile video streaming platform, today announced alpha support for Blackberry devices including Blackberry Pearl, Blackberry Curve, BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Flip. Available today in alpha, Qik’s service is now live on a number of BlackBerry handsets, including the very latest models from Research In Motion (RIM). With Qik’s free service, users can stream video live to the Internet in just two clicks from their mobile phone. Those watching the videos on the Web can take part in live interactive chat with the person broadcasting.

“We are excited to bring our lifestyle technology to the millions of Blackberry users worldwide,” said Ramu Sunkara, co-founder and CEO of Qik. “In our quest to bring mobile live video sharing to the masses, we now support the broadest range of platforms including Symbian, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and Java-enabled mass market phones.”

BlackBerry mobile phones are one of the most popular smartphones in North America. BlackBerry handsets are especially favored for allowing fast and easy access to email. The addition of live video streaming to the phones’ capabilities brings a whole new dimension of functionality to BlackBerry handsets. Qik is initially launching in alpha on the following handsets running Blackberry Operating System 4.5 and above: Blackberry Perl 8120, Blackberry Perl 8130, Blackberry Perl 8220, Blackberry Curve 8330 and the upcoming Blackberry Bold.

Owners of the above devices can get Qik by registering at http://qik.com/ . Support for these devices is expected to enter beta in the coming weeks, and support for additional BlackBerry handsets is expected soon after.

The Pope, Senator Barack Obama, Bono, and Steve Jobs are just a few of the notables to be streamed live to the web by Qik users in more than 150 countries. Journalists are using Qik to be more transparent in their reporting, and politicians worldwide are employing Qik as they campaign on a more engaging Web platform. Parents around the planet are easily sharing family events as they happen through Qik on their cell phones. With simple but robust software and a feature-rich site, tens of thousands of Qik users are streaming important moments live to the people with whom they want to share.

Qik, in addition to being the live mobile to web video service of a number of popular technology bloggers and journalists, is also delivering exciting footage shot by a wide selection of users across entertainment, business, sports, and technology. Recent Qik videos of note have included behind the scenes footage from Sarah Palin and Joe Biden’s vice presidential debate, interviews with comedian Dane Cook, the launch of Apple’s new notebook computers, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s speech reacting to the global economic climate.

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Well lookie what we have here. It looks like Mozilla stepped it up and decided to release a shiny new tablet version of the Fennec (Firefox Mobile) browser. N810 and N800 owners running Chinook or Diablo can now enjoy the fresh new 1.0 alpha 1 version of Fennec, complete with a laundry list of changes:

Easy navigation to Web content:

• Bookmarks, including tags
• Smart URL bar ("awesome bar")
• Tabbed browsing with thumbnail images
• Integrated Web search – built into the URL bar
• Easy access to multiple search engines

Web content:

• Maximize content by auto-hiding controls and URL bar
• Zoom in and out

Security:

• Instant Web site ID ("Larry")
• Password manager
• Popup blocker
• Clear private data

Devices services integration:

• Click on a phone number to initiate a call
• JavaScript API to get device location
• Popup blocker
• Clear private data

Also:

• Searchable download manager
• Preferences pane

We’ve played with it for a while and while the look and functionality are fantastic, it’s still slow. When we say slow, we mean sloooooow. The tabbed browsing (pictured above on the left) implementation and navigation controls are awesome – swipe right with your finger or stylus right to open the tabs bar or left to open the navigation menu. Tablet owners can hit the read link to install Fennec or if you’re reading this on your N800 / N810 just click here for the .install file.

[Via nokiAAddict ]

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After Flixwagon is installed on the phone, users can broadcast videos from it to the Flixwagon website with one click. Videos can be watched live or stored for future viewing. Also, they can be embedded in blogs via our flixee widget or uploaded to the user’s YouTube account. Users can also easily determine which of their contacts to share each video with.

We’re guessing this would be a pretty painful process over an EDGE connection, but Wi-Fi should do just fine until the arrival of the new 3G-equipped handsets. For the time being, the software is only available for those that dare go down the Jailbreaking route, but Flixwagon assures us that they’re working on developing an above-the-board version to release with the App-store when it launches next month. 

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