Matt’s Desk: Editor’s Blog

I typically have about 10 to 15 tabs open in Firefox, and more than a few times throughout my working day I just want them all gone without having to close each tab individually or exiting and re-launching the browser.  The solution?  A great extension called, surprisingly enough, Tab Clicking Options.  In addition to setting up the add-on to close all tabs when you double-click, middle-click, right-click, shift-click, etc,. you can also setup other great quick tab-righteous commands.  You should definitely give it a try if you’re a tab-jockey such as myself.

Do you have a favorite tab related Firefox add-on?  Please let me know.

It’s a concept so seemingly obvious, you have to wonder why no one has come up with it before.  LG’s new Decoy handset, available on Verizon Wireless, combines a slider cell phone with a built-in, removable Bluetooth headset.  Other features include a microSD memory card slot for music and video and a 2MP digital camera.  If anyone has one of these, let me know what you think.  If there’s enough interest from those of us who don’t have one, I’ll get one in for review.

-Matt

With Apple, Google and RIM making swift and sweeping moves in the world of handheld operating systems, Windows Mobile 6 – you know, Windows Mobile 5 / 2003 / 2002 with a slight makeover – is becoming a dated platform in many respects; we’re still a country mile from Palm OS territory, but it’s time for a major overhaul.

As I see it, the next version of Windows Mobile is in need of updating in at least five major respects.  First, the overall UI, or general look and aesthetic appeal.  Second, more touch-friendly navigation.  Third, better mobile web browsing.  Fourth, better multimedia management and control.  And finally, simple, instant and fully wireless syncing.

I’ve decided to focus my first in a multi-part editorial on the syncing possibilities of Windows Mobile and what improvements need to be added for Windows Mobile 7, which is due out next year.

Keep reading Hopes for Windows Mobile 7, Part I: Syncing.

Okay, so it’s not exactly like helping form the world’s first Constitutional Republic or working to map the human genome, but today Mozilla is asking your help in making history for the most downloads in a day in order to highlight the release of the final version of the new Firefox 3 web browser. 

Made available today at noon CDT, Firefox 3 boasts over 15,000 reported improvements and has the entire tech world aflutter. 

If you want to be a part of his possibly record-making attempt, head over to SpreadFirefox.com and download a copy or two. or fifty.

The Firefox web site has been down a good bit today since there are so many users trying to download, but if you keep trying, you’ll hopefully be able to grab the new browser sometime this afternoon.  You can also try the FTP server, though downloading from this location may not register for the most downloads attempt.

I’ve spent most of the day working on the new iPhone section of Pocket PC Central, aptly named iPhone Edition.  I’m excited about this new part of the site for two reasons: first, it’s always interesting to broaden the products and topics covered by PPCC. The second is that the iPhone, which has changed so much of the handheld landscape, is about to change itself, and covering the evolution of a popular product is great.

Apple is announcing, most expect, the 2nd Gen iPhone on Monday.  Commonly called the 3G iPhone, the new Apple smartphone (or perhaps smartphones) will work with faster wireless networks, allow for 3rd party software, will sync with Exchange and will feature a new and improved OS. With PPCC: iPhone Edition, we’ll try to blend what makes Pocket PC Central so successful with the iPhone universe; of course, there’s a great deal of information out there about the iPhone, and I certainly know that much of it is high-quality, but hopefully we can add to the conversation and even help a few folks out in the process.

Stay tuned to iPhone Edition’s 3G iPhone page on Monday for the latest details and feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments regarding the new sub-section of PPCC.  I’m calling it quits for the week.

-M

As you may have noticed, I’ve not submitted a post to my blog in over two months.  The reason for my absence was family related; my grandfather had a stroke in early April and passed away a couple of weeks ago.  My grandfather was a brilliant man, a World War II veteran, and one who touched the lives of many people throughout his life, including myself.

He will be greatly missed.

Please visit the National Stroke Association for information on stroke risk factors, prevention and recovery.