Download Squad http://downloadsquad.switched.com Download Squad. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/downloadsquad.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://downloadsquad.switched.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Echofon Twitter client for Firefox redesigned and updated for Firefox 4]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/echofon-twitter-client-for-firefox-redesigned-and-updated-for-fi/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/echofon-twitter-client-for-firefox-redesigned-and-updated-for-fi/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/echofon-twitter-client-for-firefox-redesigned-and-updated-for-fi/#comments With the recent release of Firefox 4, Echofon has just put out a major update of its Twitter extension for Firefox, featuring a new design and takes full advantage of Mozilla's latest browser. Echofon can now be used as a Firefox sidebar or pulled out into a separate window, and it now includes inline photo viewing and an all-around nicer UI for your tweet stream.

Some cool Echofon desktop features have made their way into the Firefox extension this time around, too. It supports muting of users, hashtags, and even specific Twitter clients, as well as saved searches (with a handy new tabbed interface). The very useful conversation view has also been added, allowing you to keep up with @reply chatter more easily.

Echofon for Firefox plans to support real-time tweet streaming through Twitter's user streams API, but that's still pending approval from Twitter. This update is still in Beta, so it might have some issues, but the Firefox extension is now giving standalone Echofon desktop apps a run for their money.

Echofon Twitter client for Firefox redesigned and updated for Firefox 4 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> add-onsappsbrowser add-onsBrowserAdd-onsechofonextensionsfirefoxmozillatwitter Jay Hathaway Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Zipcar Android app expected to arrive soon]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/zipcar-android-app/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/zipcar-android-app/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/zipcar-android-app/#comments When it comes to car-sharing service Zipcar, iPhone users get to have all the fun. But Android users -- who have thus far been relegated to using the mobile website for car reservations -- are about to get in on the app action. Zipcar has confirmed via Twitter that Android users can expect an app, and more details will be released soon.

There's no expected released date for the app, yet. There's also no word on whether the Android version of Zipcar will have the iPhone app's most futuristic feature: unlocking your borrowed car from your phone. Android users will just have to sit tight for the moment and try not to drool on those shared car seats.

Zipcar Android app expected to arrive soon originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidappscar sharingcarsCarSharingmobilereservationszipcar Jay Hathaway Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Evernote Chrome extension gets quick clipping and snippets]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/evernote-chrome-extension-gets-quick-clipping-and-snippets/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/evernote-chrome-extension-gets-quick-clipping-and-snippets/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/evernote-chrome-extension-gets-quick-clipping-and-snippets/#comments evernote chrome extension Evernote's Chrome extension might not be quite as powerful a tool as Evernote's Mac and PC apps, but it does make a great addition to any note-capturing addict's browser toolbox. The latest update adds common Evernote actions to Chrome's right-click menu, making grabbing a clipping or starting a new note even more convenient. "Clip this page," "clip selection" and "clip image" are now just a right-click away.

Evernote for Chrome has also gained the familiar "snippet view" from Evernote's desktop and mobile apps. To browse the compact snippet versions of all your notes, click the Evernote icon in the toolbar. For extra note-browsing efficiency, there's even a tab that shows your saved notes from the site you're currently viewing.

Smaller tweaks include speed improvements and background clipping. Yep, clipping now happens in the background, so you don't have to wait til your clip is saved before you leave a page.

Serious Evernote junkies will probably still want to feed their addiction with a desktop app, but the Chrome extension is great for work computers and other situations where it's not practical to install desktop software. It's also just plain convenient, especially now that you can save a clip with one click!

Evernote Chrome extension gets quick clipping and snippets originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsbrowser extensionsBrowserExtensionschromechrome extensionsChromeExtensionsevernotegoogle chromeGoogleChromenotes Jay Hathaway Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[iOS 4.3.1 update now available, mostly bugfixes]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/ios-4-3-1-update-now-available-mostly-bugfixes/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/ios-4-3-1-update-now-available-mostly-bugfixes/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/ios-4-3-1-update-now-available-mostly-bugfixes/#comments ios 4.3.1 update Apple has released iOS 4.3.1, and it's now available via the "update" button in iTunes. 4.3.1 isn't a feature update, but it does fix a graphics glitch for the 4th-gen iPod Touch and some issues with connecting to cellular networks.

The update isn't available for Verizon iPhone users -- who are still on 4.2.6 -- but it works with all other recent devices (including the iPad 2). It apparently doesn't fix rumored battery life issues with iOS 4.3, but it's still worth updating, especially if you've had connection issues with your cell carrier.

Looking for a direct download? Grab yours from the list below!

iOS 4.3.1 update now available, mostly bugfixes originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applebug fixesBugFixesiosios 4.3.1Ios4.3.1ipadiphonesoftware updateSoftwareUpdate Jay Hathaway Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Color location-based photo sharing app makes a big splash on iPhone and Android]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/24/color-location-based-photo-sharing-app-makes-a-big-splash-on-iph/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/24/color-location-based-photo-sharing-app-makes-a-big-splash-on-iph/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/24/color-location-based-photo-sharing-app-makes-a-big-splash-on-iph/#comments Just when Instagram had reached the peak of trendiness, along comes the next big thing in mobile photo-sharing: Color. Color is an iPhone/Android app that lets you share location-tagged photos. What's new about Color is the way it builds your contacts: it shows you photos from people who are currently within 100 feet of you, whether you know them or not.

If you're around someone all the time, Color will figure out that you know that person, and start showing you more of their photos. Meanwhile, photos from the strangers who move in and out of your life will disappear as quickly as the people themselves. This "elastic" social network is supposed to encourage people to say hi to one another, while keeping the photos relevant by showing your current location.

It's an interesting play with a ton of money behind it -- the color.com domain name alone cost the startup $350,000. It's also got a big name attached: Bill Nguyen, who also founded Lala.com and sold it to Apple. Whether users are comfortable with this new, very public way of sharing photos will determine whether Color's future is bright. If it doesn't work on its own, we're sure the technology would be an attractive buy for a company like Facebook which thrives on creatively pushing the bounds of privacy.

Color location-based photo sharing app makes a big splash on iPhone and Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidcolorgpsiosiphonelocationlocation-basedphotographysharingsocialnetworking Jay Hathaway Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:27:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Views.fm Dropbox viewer offers slick galleries, and adds commenting]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/views-fm-dropbox-viewer-offers-slick-galleries-and-adds-comment/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/views-fm-dropbox-viewer-offers-slick-galleries-and-adds-comment/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/views-fm-dropbox-viewer-offers-slick-galleries-and-adds-comment/#comments Sharing an entire Dropbox folder can be a bit of a pain, unless it's your Public folder. Plus, Dropbox only natively displays photo galleries for your Photos folder. What's a sharing addict to do? Try Views.fm, a Dropbox viewer that lets you share any folder publicly or with selected friends, and adds great-looking galleries and comments to boot.

Views.fm connects to Dropbox, and then lets you create public or private shares of your folders. Public is self-explanatory: it gives anyone with the link the ability to browse and download the contents of the shared folder. Private shares are only accessible to people you invite via email, and you can see and edit who has access right from your Views.fm shares list. Private shares also enable comments, both on the folder itself and on the individual files.

If you want to use Views.fm as a portfolio, just share a folder full of images, and the rest is taken care of for you. Pretty slick indeed.

Views.fm Dropbox viewer offers slick galleries, and adds commenting originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appscloudcommentsdropboxgalleryphotophotographyphotosportfoliosharingviewsviews.fmweb Jay Hathaway Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Sparrow 1.1 for Mac adds IMAP email support, Priority Inbox and more]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/sparrow-1-1-adds-imap-support-priority-inbox-and-more/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/sparrow-1-1-adds-imap-support-priority-inbox-and-more/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/sparrow-1-1-adds-imap-support-priority-inbox-and-more/#comments
Sparrow, the slick-looking alternative mail client for Mac, is no longer Gmail-only! With the release of version 1.1 -- now available in the Mac App Store -- Sparrow supports any IMAP account you've got. That includes MobileMe, Yahoo and AOL accounts, as well as any custom IMAP setups you're running on your own domains.

Sparrow 1.1 also supports one of the most-requested Gmail features: Priority Inbox. Sparrow won't make Priority Inbox magically work with your non-Gmail accounts, but Gmail users should be very happy. Other improvements include a new formatting bar, so you can customize the look of your email messages, an "unread only" section that hides all your old mail, and multitouch gestures for Macs that support them.

The update to 1.1 is free for all paid Sparrow users. The price for new Sparrow users is $9.99.

Sparrow 1.1 for Mac adds IMAP email support, Priority Inbox and more originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsemailgmailIMAPmac app storeMacAppStoremailmail clientMailClientmobilemeosxsparrowsparrow 1.1Sparrow1.1yahoo Jay Hathaway Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:47:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Quickshot camera app for iOS saves photos straight to Dropbox]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/21/quickshot-camera-app-for-ios-saves-photos-straight-to-dropbox/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/21/quickshot-camera-app-for-ios-saves-photos-straight-to-dropbox/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/21/quickshot-camera-app-for-ios-saves-photos-straight-to-dropbox/#comments If you upload a lot of photos from your iPhone to Dropbox, you know it's kind of a pain in the butt. Opening the Dropbox app and then individually transferring each photo takes quite some time, and there's no batch photo select option available. Quickshot with Dropbox for iOS offers a way to get the job done, though.

With Quickshot, you just select a photos folder in your Dropbox and start shooting. Your photos will be uploaded automatically. You don't even have to save the shots to your phone's camera roll if you don't want to.

Quickshot doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles as a camera, but if you prefer to shoot with a fancier app -- or use the iPhone's built-in Camera app for HDR -- you can still use Quickshot to select and batch-upload photos from your camera roll. Nice!

In the latest version, Quickshot added iPad 2 support and the ability to remove location tags from your photos before they're uploaded.

By the way, Quickshot is not to be confused with another, unrelated app called "Quick Shot - All in One Camera," so be careful if you're searching for it in the app store.

Quickshot camera app for iOS saves photos straight to Dropbox originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appscameraclouddropboxiosipadiphonephotophotographyquickshot Jay Hathaway Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[WordPress for iOS 2.7 features improved data management, better stability]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/17/wordpress-for-ios-2-7-features-improved-data-management-better-stability/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/17/wordpress-for-ios-2-7-features-improved-data-management-better-stability/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/17/wordpress-for-ios-2-7-features-improved-data-management-better-stability/#comments WordPress for iPad and iPhone has always been usable, if somewhat clunky and unstable. Version 2.0 made huge leaps in both interface and reliability, and it's been getting a tiny bit better with each new version. Now, enter WordPress for iOS 2.7, which uses Apple's Core Data framework for even greater stability.

The post editor has been updated, and it offers easy access to tags and categories, as well as handy buttons for inserting links, images, and videos (including multiple media uploads at once). Other small-yet-important updates include pull-to-refresh for list screens and the ability to follow links in comments.

WordPress for iOS 2.7 features improved data management, better stability originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsautomatticblogbloggingiosipadiphonewordpress Jay Hathaway Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:10:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google Search for iPhone replaces Google Mobile app]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-search-for-iphone-replaces-google-mobile-iphone-app/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-search-for-iphone-replaces-google-mobile-iphone-app/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-search-for-iphone-replaces-google-mobile-iphone-app/#comments

Google Mobile for iPhone has become Google Search for iPhone, and the new name comes with a new look and some additional features. There's a slick-looking new sidebar -- activated by swiping to the right -- where you can decide what kind of results you want to see, including news, images and all the other familiar Google search types.

Once you get your results, swiping down will reveal the search bar and let you change your settings. At the bottom of the screen, there's an "apps" button that offers easy access to the mobile web versions of other Google products. The microphone icon activates Voice Search, and the camera icon opens Google Goggles.

Google has made subtle improvements within the app, too, including upgrades for Goggles, Voice Search, Search With My Location and Gmail unread counts. Ubiquitous help buttons everywhere in the app will fill you in on all of the cool feature updates.

Google Search is available for free in the App Store now.

Google Search for iPhone replaces Google Mobile app originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> googlegoogle mobilegoogle searchGoogleMobileGoogleSearchiosiphonesearch Jay Hathaway Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Internet Explorer 9 users get a free month of Hulu Plus]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/internet-explorer-9-users-get-a-free-month-of-hulu-plus/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/internet-explorer-9-users-get-a-free-month-of-hulu-plus/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/internet-explorer-9-users-get-a-free-month-of-hulu-plus/#comments In a bit of Microsoft/Hulu cross-promotion, Hulu is offering a free month of its premium Hulu Plus streaming video service to users of Internet Explorer 9. To qualify, you just have to download IE9 and use the new taskbar pinning feature to pin Hulu.com to your Windows Taskbar.

If you pin Hulu, you'll see the free Hulu Plus offer appear in your IE9 jump list starting on March 28th. Hulu is currently only available in the U.S. (although there are unofficial workarounds), so there are no guarantees that international users will get any use out of the offer. Looks like a smart way for Microsoft to up the adoption rate of IE9 and Hulu to get users hooked on its Plus service.

Internet Explorer 9 users get a free month of Hulu Plus originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> freehuluhulu plusHuluPlusieie 9Ie9internet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9microsoftstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideovideo on demandVideoOnDemandvodweb Jay Hathaway Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google removes Gears from Chrome, prepares offline access for Google Docs]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-removes-gears-from-chrome-prepares-offline-access-for-go/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-removes-gears-from-chrome-prepares-offline-access-for-go/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/15/google-removes-gears-from-chrome-prepares-offline-access-for-go/#comments Google Gears was launched back in 2007 -- before Google Chrome, and back when web apps were still in their early stages -- as a way for web app developers to allow offline access to documents. Gears never really caught on, and was eventually replaced by standards-based solutions. Now, Google has announced that it's finally removing support for the Gears plugin from Chrome.

With Google now in charge of its own browser, there's no longer a reason to hack together a plugin for offline access to documents. The removal of Gears is a strong hint that Google's promised offline access for its own Google Docs -- scheduled for "early 2011" -- is almost here.

Google removes Gears from Chrome, prepares offline access for Google Docs originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> browserschromegearsgooglegoogle chromegoogle docsgoogle gearsGoogleChromeGoogleDocsGoogleGearsofflineplugins Jay Hathaway Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:25:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google's Blogger platform gets a new-look Dashboard and Post Editor]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/14/google-blogger-platform-gets-a-new-look-dashboard-and-post-editor/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/14/google-blogger-platform-gets-a-new-look-dashboard-and-post-editor/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/14/google-blogger-platform-gets-a-new-look-dashboard-and-post-editor/#comments Blogger, Google's popular blogging platform, is showing off a sneak peek at the next generation of its user interface. The Official Google Blog has screenshots of upcoming revamps to Blogger's Dashboard and Post Editor. There's also a video (after the break) that shows off the progress Blogger made in 2010 -- including improved stats, spam filtering, Web fonts, a template designer and zero downtime.

The juicy stuff is in the screenshots, though. You can see that Blogger's Post Editor, which currently looks so 2004, has finally caught up to the hottest design trends of 2007. The preview of the new UI is still not gorgeous, but at least it looks like something that was created in the past half-decade. Feature-wise, the toolbar is much more compact, and it appears location tagging has been added.

As for the Dashboard, it's been totally overhauled. The new version seems Tumblr-inspired, with most of the window taken up by a feed of all the Blogger blogs you're following. A sidebar gives you quick access to your individual blog dashboards and the Blogger profile editor.

The new design for Blogger is definitely a step in the right direction, and it's interesting to watch the platform shift toward internal traffic and a community approach, a la Tumblr. If the impressive numbers in Blogger's promo video are any indication, Google is definitely doing something right with its blogging service.

Continue reading Google's Blogger platform gets a new-look Dashboard and Post Editor

Google's Blogger platform gets a new-look Dashboard and Post Editor originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bloggerbloggingblogsdashboardgooglepost editorPostEditorredesignsneak peekSneakPeekweb Jay Hathaway Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Instagram adds better news feed, tilt-shift filter]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/11/instagram-adds-better-news-feed-tilt-shift-filter/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/11/instagram-adds-better-news-feed-tilt-shift-filter/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/11/instagram-adds-better-news-feed-tilt-shift-filter/#comments tilt shift instagramInstagram, the trendiest iPhone photo sharing app in the land, is on a roll. Fresh off the launch of an API, Instagram has updated its iOS apps with an improved news feed and a tilt-shift option to add some punch to your photos.

The news feed used to show only activity on your own photos -- likes, comments, and new followers. Now it has a second tab that shows what your friends are liking and commenting on, and who they've started following. It's a bit overwhelming, but potentially useful for discovering new people and pics on Instagram.


Instagram is known for its filters, but the ability to quickly tilt-shift a photo -- that's where you blur most of the image to add interest to a specific part of it -- is a whole new thing. It's a special effect that you can use in combination with any of the other filters, which is a first for Instagram. Very cool, but I hope this doesn't mark the beginning of feature-creep. The app's minimalism is what makes it so cool.

Instagram adds better news feed, tilt-shift filter originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsinstagramiosiphonenews feedNewsFeedphotophotographytilt shiftTiltShift Jay Hathaway Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Instapaper 3.0 released for iPhone and iPad, with faster downloads and social networking]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/10/instapaper-3-0-iphone-ipad/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/10/instapaper-3-0-iphone-ipad/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/10/instapaper-3-0-iphone-ipad/#comments Instapaper, the popular read-it-later app for iPhone and iPad, has just updated to version 3.0. It still lets you save links anywhere to read later on your iDevice, but now it's a lot faster, and it's also got a very compelling new social element.

Instapaper now has native sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinboard and Evernote. You can even add articles to the sharing queue when you're offline, and everything will be shared when you reconnect. Tumblr users can even share articles as drafts, to be quoted or annotated for a later post.

Stars in Instapaper have become "likes," and you can view your friends' likes, as well. The combo of friends and saved articles makes Instapaper akin to its own Google Reader-like social network. You can add friends from your Twitter or Facebook accounts, or the email contacts on your iOS device.

RSS folders are being phased out, because they were slow to load and few users actually used or liked the feature. Getting rid of them makes room for the app to store a bigger archive of saved articles. You'll also be able to search your downloaded articles -- but not your entire Instapaper web archive.

All in all, 3.0 is an enormous improvement to an already-useful app. It's available now in the App Store for $4.99, and it's a free upgrade for anyone who's purchased Instapaper in the past.

Instapaper 3.0 released for iPhone and iPad, with faster downloads and social networking originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsinstapaperiosipadiphonesocial networkingSocialNetworking Jay Hathaway Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google lets users block sites from search results]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/10/google-lets-users-block-sites-from-search-results/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/10/google-lets-users-block-sites-from-search-results/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/10/google-lets-users-block-sites-from-search-results/#comments Google lets users block sites from search results Google now allows users to block sites from search results, allowing for a more personalized, more relevant search experience. When you run a search, each result should have a "Block all example.com results" link beside it. Clicking that button will hide the domain in your future searches.

When Google hides a result you've blocked, you'll see a "blocked results" message at the top of the screen, with options to show the blocked results or manage your list of blocked sites. From the management screen, you can manually block sites without running searches for each one.

If these features look familiar, that's probably because Google has been experimenting with them using a Chrome extension called Personal Blocklist. All of Personal Blocklist's features have now been integrated into Google search, but you may still want to use it if you've already blocked a lot of sites and don't want to block them again, or if you want to block sites without being signed into Google.

Google has made no promises that blocked sites will be taken into account in future search algorithms, but they have said that they'll consider the option, and implement it if the blocked site data appears to be useful. Content farms should be quaking in their boots right about now.

Google lets users block sites from search results originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blockingcontent farmsContentFarmsgooglepersonal blocklistPersonalBlocklistsearchsearch enginessearch resultsSearchEnginesSearchResults Jay Hathaway Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:57:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google introduces new Twitter snippets in search results]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-introduces-new-twitter-snippets-in-search-results/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-introduces-new-twitter-snippets-in-search-results/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-introduces-new-twitter-snippets-in-search-results/#comments new twitter snippets on google Google has made some improvements to the way Twitter accounts show up in search results. Rather than just a link to the account, you'll now see improved snippets featuring the Twitter user's icon and most recent tweet.

It doesn't sound like a big deal, but the new enhanced snippets are particularly useful when you're trying to distinguish between two people with the same name, or when you're trying to click on the official Twitter account of a celebrity or website instead of just getting one of their fan feeds.

Google introduces new Twitter snippets in search results originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> googlesearchsearch resultsSearchResultssnippetstwittertwitter searchTwitterSearch Jay Hathaway Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Rdio for Mac brings streaming music to your desktop]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/rdio-for-mac-brings-streaming-music-to-your-desktop/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/rdio-for-mac-brings-streaming-music-to-your-desktop/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/rdio-for-mac-brings-streaming-music-to-your-desktop/#comments rdio mac app Rdio, a streaming music subscription service, has just added a native Mac app to its web-based and iPhone-based players. Both web and mobile subscribers will be able to use the new Mac version of Rdio.

The app offers easy access to your Rdio stations, top artists, queue and listening history. It's also slicker and faster than the existing Adobe Air app for Rdio, with none of the Flash issues Mac users experience on the web or in the Air app. You can even use the media keys on your Mac to play, pause and skip in Rdio. It also supports Growl notifications, for those OS X users who are addicted to the popular systemwide alert app.

Rdio for Mac brings streaming music to your desktop originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsmacmusicosxrdio for macRdioForMacstreamingsubscription Jay Hathaway Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:02:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google Maps Navigation for Android now plans routes around traffic]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-maps-navigation-for-android-now-plans-routes-around-traff/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-maps-navigation-for-android-now-plans-routes-around-traff/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-maps-navigation-for-android-now-plans-routes-around-traff/#comments google maps navigation with trafficGoogle Maps has included traffic data for some time, but now Google Maps for Android takes that traffic information into account when it's giving you directions. The latest Beta version of Google Maps Navigation uses the alternative routes Google Maps has always suggested, and automatically picks the fastest one, based on real-time and historical traffic information.

There's an awful lot of data to draw from, too. With Google Maps Navigation users driving 35 million miles a day, the big G gets plenty of traffic info. The Beta is available now, and the new traffic feature will work automatically for users in North America and Europe.

Google Maps Navigation for Android now plans routes around traffic originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidgooglegoogle mapsgoogle maps navigationGoogleMapsGoogleMapsNavigationnavigationtraffic Jay Hathaway Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Remove quick bar from Twitter for iOS using Twizzler]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/remove-quick-bar-from-twitter-for-ios-using-twizzler/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/remove-quick-bar-from-twitter-for-ios-using-twizzler/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/remove-quick-bar-from-twitter-for-ios-using-twizzler/#comments If you've got a jailbroken iPhone, you can easily remove the annoying new "quick bar" from the official Twitter for iPhone app. A free app called Twizzler does the trick, and it's available in the Cydia store right now. Just install Twizzler, relaunch Twitter, and the quick bar is gone. No fuss necessary.

Now, if only Twitter would add this option to the official app's settings ...

Remove quick bar from Twitter for iOS using Twizzler originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cydiaiosiphonejailbreakquick barQuickBartwittertwitter for iphoneTwitterForIphonetwizzler Jay Hathaway Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Twitter for iOS updated with "quick bar" and new friend finder]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-quick-bar-and-new-friend-finder/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-quick-bar-and-new-friend-finder/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-quick-bar-and-new-friend-finder/#comments Twitter's iOS apps have been updated with several new features and UI tweaks. The first thing you'll notice in the iPhone version is the new "quick bar" at the top of your timeline. It displays a rotating list of trends, including promoted trends, and can't be disabled. It's a feature if you like trends, but it's just a pesky ad banner if you don't. The quick bar hasn't appeared in the iPad version of the app yet.

More useful are improvements to the "new tweet" interface, especially the addition of more obvious buttons to add a photo or tag a location. Usernames you're following now autocomplete, as well, making it easier to write replies on the go. There's also a new friend finder that scans your iOS contact list for friends with Twitter accounts. Whether these new features outweigh the annoyance of the quick bar is a matter of personal preference.

You can download Twitter in the App Store.

Twitter for iOS updated with "quick bar" and new friend finder originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsiosipadiphonequick barQuickBarsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwitter Jay Hathaway Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[iTunes 10.2 now available for download]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/itunes-10-2-now-available-for-download/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/itunes-10-2-now-available-for-download/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/itunes-10-2-now-available-for-download/#comments iTunes 10.2 Apple released the latest version of iTunes, iTunes 10.2, today, and it's now available for download. iTunes 10.2 introduces support for the iPad 2 (due out March 11) and is required for syncing devices running the new iOS 4.3 (also due out on the 11th).

iTunes 10.2 also features improvements to Home Sharing, including support for streaming media to iOS 4.3 devices using Home Sharing.

iTunes 10.2 now available for download originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleappshome sharingHomeSharingiosios 4.3Ios4.3ipad 2Ipad2itunesitunes 42Itunes42osx Jay Hathaway Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:28:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[iPad 2 brings release of iOS 4.3, with FaceTime and Photo Booth]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/ipad-2-ios-43-facetime-photo-booth/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/ipad-2-ios-43-facetime-photo-booth/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/ipad-2-ios-43-facetime-photo-booth/#comments itunes 4.3The iPad 2 launches on March 11th, with a new dual-core A5 processor and HDMI Out capability, but what about the software? Apple announced that the iPad currently has 65,000 apps (compared to 100 for Android Honeycomb tablets), and that the iPad 2 will run the new iOS 4.3.
iOS 4.3 features performance improvements in Safari, thanks to the addition of the Nitro JavaScript engine. It also brings iTunes home sharing, which lets the iPad 2 play content over Wi-Fi from your other networked devices. Oh, and 4.3 also (finally!) lets you decide whether the switch on your iPad is a mute button or an orientation lock.

iPad 2 owners also get Photo Booth, which takes advantage of the new iPad's built-in camera. It lets you preview 9 photo effects at once, and manipulate the effects by touching the photos. The addition of cameras also means FaceTime has finally arrived on the iPad, and you can use it to call other iPads, iPhones or Macs. Also note the flip option, which lets you switch to the iPad's rear camera during a FaceTime call.

iPhone 4 owners aren't left out, either: iOS 4.3 also introduces Personal Hotspot for iPhone 4 only. Personal Hotspot allows you to share your 3G connection with your computer, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

iPad 2 brings release of iOS 4.3, with FaceTime and Photo Booth originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleappsfacetimeiosios 4.3Ios4.3ipadipad 2Ipad2iphonephoto boothPhotoBooth Jay Hathaway Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Eightbit.me is an 8-bit retro avatar builder, will eventually be a game]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/01/eightbit-me-is-an-8-bit-retro-avatar-builder-will-eventually-be/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/01/eightbit-me-is-an-8-bit-retro-avatar-builder-will-eventually-be/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/01/eightbit-me-is-an-8-bit-retro-avatar-builder-will-eventually-be/#comments eightbit.me avatars If you've started to notice your Twitter friends looking a little blocky lately, it's probably because they've got trendy 8-bit avatars from Eightbit.me. This site lets you create a full-body 8-bit avatar in your own image, from hair color, glasses and facial hair down to the outfit you're wearing. The plan is eventually to let all these personal avatars participate in some kind of game experience, but Eightbit.me hasn't yet said what the game will be.

Facial detail is obviously limited with only a couple dozen pixels to work with for each character's face, so sometimes it comes down to the clothes when you're trying to make your avatar distinctive. That shouldn't be a problem in the Eightbit.me user gallery or in the mysterious forthcoming game, but it's a bit of a pain on Twitter. When all your friends have gone 8-bit, one brunette with glasses looks just like another.

I hope Eightbit.me turns into an amazing game, but I also hope people stop using their 8-bit characters' heads as Twitter icons.

Eightbit.me is an 8-bit retro avatar builder, will eventually be a game originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 8-bitavatar creatorAvatarCreatoravatarseightbit.megamesgamingretrotwitter Jay Hathaway Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Tiny Wings for iOS is a simple, beautiful flying game]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/28/tiny-wings-for-ios-is-a-simple-beautiful-flying-game/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/28/tiny-wings-for-ios-is-a-simple-beautiful-flying-game/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/28/tiny-wings-for-ios-is-a-simple-beautiful-flying-game/#comments Tiny Wings is an iOS game from Andreas Illiger starring a bird, but it doesn't have much else in common with Angry Birds. For one thing, it's a lot prettier. For another, gameplay is less destructive and more relaxed. You control a bird with tiny wings who dreams of flying. All you have to do is put your finger on the screen to gather speed on the downhills, and then let go to watch your bird fly up the other side and catch air.

Aside from the very satisfying game mechanics -- who doesn't love hitting ramps over and over? -- the graphics and details in Tiny Birds alone would be worth the 99-cent price of admission. The levels are colorful, and the setting sun that serves as the game's timer is a very nice touch.

While it might not fuel your destructive id the way Angry Birds does, Tiny Wings is an addictive little game in its own right.

Gallery: Tiny Wings

Continue reading Tiny Wings for iOS is a simple, beautiful flying game

Tiny Wings for iOS is a simple, beautiful flying game originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> gamesgamingiosiphonetiny wingsTinyWings Jay Hathaway Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Angry Farm is an Angry Birds knockoff for BlackBerry]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/angry-farm-is-an-angry-birds-knockoff-for-blackberry/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/angry-farm-is-an-angry-birds-knockoff-for-blackberry/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/angry-farm-is-an-angry-birds-knockoff-for-blackberry/#comments angry farm angry birds knockoff for blackberry Angry Birds hasn't been officially ported to the BlackBerry, but a company called Smarter Apps got tired of waiting and produced an unofficial "alternative" called Angry Farm. The gameplay is virtually identical to Angry Birds, but you control farm animals instead of birds, and your opponents are foxes instead of pigs.

Angry Farm has 30 levels and free upgrades for life, and it works on BlackBerry devices running BlackBerry OS 4.6 and up. The cost: $4.99. How blatant can an Angry Birds clone get before Rovio attempts to shut it down? I have a feeling we may be about to find out. Either that, or the real Angry Birds for BlackBerry will come out ...

Angry Farm is an Angry Birds knockoff for BlackBerry originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> angry birdsangry farmAngryBirdsAngryFarmappsblackberrygamesgamingsmarterapps Jay Hathaway Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Sparrow Lite ad-supported email client lands in Mac App Store]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/sparrow-lite-ad-supported-email-client-lands-in-mac-app-store/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/sparrow-lite-ad-supported-email-client-lands-in-mac-app-store/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/sparrow-lite-ad-supported-email-client-lands-in-mac-app-store/#comments sparrow lite now available in mac app storeSparrow, the slick-looking Mac email client that rocked the Mac App Store's sales charts earlier this month, isn't for everyone. But how do you know if it's for you without shelling out the $10 price of admission? That's where Sparrow Lite comes in.

Sparrow Lite is a free, ad-supported version of Sparrow that's designed to give you a feel for the app's unique approach to email. It's practically the same as the full version, but it does have its wings clipped a little bit: you can only use one email account at a time, and there's a mandatory "Sent with Sparrow" included in your signature.

So, if you're considering Sparrow as a Mac Mail replacement, but want to try it out before dolling out $10, check out Sparrow Lite in the Mac App Store.

Sparrow Lite ad-supported email client lands in Mac App Store originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ad-supportedappsemailemail clientEmailClientmacmac app storeMacAppStoreos xOsXsparrowsparrow liteSparrowLite Jay Hathaway Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Instagram releases real-time updates API]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/instagram-releases-real-time-updates-api/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/instagram-releases-real-time-updates-api/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/instagram-releases-real-time-updates-api/#comments Popular iPhone photo-sharing app Instagram has just released a real-time updates API that allows developers to use Instagram photos, tags, and locations in their own apps. The announcement wasn't all theoretical either: you can already see the new API in action with apps including Foodspotting, Dropbox and Momento. Other trendy apps will be launching Instagram integration soon, Flipboard and About.me among them. The API is read-only for the moment, so these apps are just pulling data from Instagram, not allowing you to post to it.

With a reported 2,000(!) developers already signed up for the API, third-party apps on other platforms (hello, Android!) probably aren't too far off. All it will take is for the API to go read-write and allow third-party apps to post photos and comments to your account. Instagram competitor Picplz already has an Android app, so it would behoove Instagram to get up and running on that platform ASAP.

If you don't have an iPhone, but you still want to see the new API in action, check out the official API demo or visit Instagre.at, a web gallery of Instagram photos.

Instagram releases real-time updates API originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> APIsappsinstagramiosipadiphonephoto sharingphotographyphotosPhotoSharingrealtime Jay Hathaway Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Facebook for Android vulnerable to simple snooping tricks]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/facebook-for-android-vulnerable-to-simple-snooping-tricks/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/facebook-for-android-vulnerable-to-simple-snooping-tricks/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/facebook-for-android-vulnerable-to-simple-snooping-tricks/#comments Facebook's Android app has some serious security issues, according to a computer science professor at Rice University. Professor Dan Wallach and his students set up simple sniffers using freely-available software (including Wireshark and Mallory) and found that Facebook for Android sends a lot of data in the clear. That means it's possible -- easy, even -- for people to eavesdrop on your Facebook postings.

Even more troubling is Wallach's finding that the lack of OAuth or another signature method in Facebook for Android means someone could theoretically post to your Facebook account. There's also a possible SQL injection vulnerability which could cause all kinds of trouble.

To protect yourself from potential exploits, you can sign into the secure version of Facebook's site -- https://www.facebook.com -- and get a third-party encryption app that will let you use the secure site by default. Hopefully Facebook will quickly address these issues and release an updated, more secure version of the Android app.

Facebook for Android vulnerable to simple snooping tricks originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidappseavesdroppingfacebookmobilesecuritysnooping Jay Hathaway Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google stirs cooking recipes into search results]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-adds-recipes-to-search-results/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-adds-recipes-to-search-results/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-adds-recipes-to-search-results/#comments Google adds recipes to search results Google's latest search trick is recognizing recipes in search results, and showing you a quick overview of a recipe before you even click through. Thanks to some XML tricks, you'll soon be able to see ingredients, ratings and thumbnail images for recipes right in your search results.

Google's recipe search also has some advanced options (found in the search sidebar), including filters for ingredients, cook time and calories. Recipe sites like food.com and tablespoon.com, with clearly-delineated sections marked up in XML, make it easy for Google to parse this information.

To see if you have recipe search yet, check the left sidebar on a search results page. Recipes should show up right under Shopping and above More. It hasn't rolled out to everyone yet, so don't fret if you don't see it.

Google stirs cooking recipes into search results originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> foodgooglerecipe searchrecipesRecipeSearchsearchsearch enginesearch enginesSearchEngineSearchEnginesXML Jay Hathaway Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google releases Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-releases-cloud-connect-for-microsoft-office/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-releases-cloud-connect-for-microsoft-office/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-releases-cloud-connect-for-microsoft-office/#comments Google Cloud Connect, Google's plugin that integrates Google Docs and Microsoft Office apps, launched last November for a limited number of users. Now, Cloud Connect is ready for prime time, and the plug-in is available to everyone.

Cloud Connect allows you to save your Office documents to the cloud, edit them in Google Docs, and sync the changes back to your desktop. It doesn't replace Office with Google Docs, but it lets people who aren't ready to make the switch to the cloud use both simultaneously. If you want, you can just use Google Docs for syncing, and do all your actual editing on your desktop in Word, PowerPoint or Excel.

Key features of Cloud Connect include simultaneous collaboration (with the ability to work offline and resolve conflicting changes once you reconnect), revision history, document sharing and, of course, cloud sync. Cloud Connect works with Office 2003, 2007 and 2010.

Continue reading Google releases Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office

Google releases Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cloud computingCloudComputinggooglegoogle cloud connectgoogle docsGoogleCloudConnectGoogleDocsmicrosoftofficepluginsyncwindows Jay Hathaway Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Minecraft coming to Android devices]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/minecraft-coming-to-android-devices/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/minecraft-coming-to-android-devices/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/minecraft-coming-to-android-devices/#comments minecraft android Hot on the heels of the announcement that Minecraft, the popular world-building game, would be coming to iOS devices, Minecraft has been announced for Android, too. No release dates have been set yet, and we don't know whether iOS or Android will get Minecraft first. What we do know is that both mobile versions of the game will hit before the desktop edition that comes out later this year.

Minecraft coming to Android devices originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidgamesgamingminecraftmobilevideo gamesVideoGames Jay Hathaway Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Final Cut Pro 8 could arrive from Apple this Spring]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/final-cut-pro-8-could-arrive-from-apple-this-spring/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/final-cut-pro-8-could-arrive-from-apple-this-spring/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/final-cut-pro-8-could-arrive-from-apple-this-spring/#comments Apple's Steve Jobs has said in recent emails that Final Cut Pro, Apple's venerable video editing app, will be getting an "awesome" update for which we should all "buckle up," but that update could be coming sooner than we thought. Sources have told TechCrunch that Apple is now in the final stages of "the biggest overhaul to Final Cut Pro since the original version was created over 10 years ago."

Both the performance and the UI of the app have reportedly been improved, and word on the street is that it will finally go 64-bit. TechCrunch says Apple has also brought in a small group of professional video editors to test-drive the new app, which gives us confidence that the new version's going to be aimed at the pro audience.

By the way, that's a Final Cut Pro 7 screenshot up above. Unfortunately, no images of Final Cut Pro 8's UI have been leaked yet.

Final Cut Pro 8 could arrive from Apple this Spring originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleappsfinal cut profinal cut pro 8FinalCutProFinalCutPro8macNLEosxvideovideo editingVideoEditing Jay Hathaway Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:45:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Netflix and CBS sign deal for more streaming shows]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/netflix-and-cbs-sign-deal-for-more-streaming-shows/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/netflix-and-cbs-sign-deal-for-more-streaming-shows/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/netflix-and-cbs-sign-deal-for-more-streaming-shows/#comments Netflix has just signed a deal to add CBS shows to its streaming library. The two-year agreement means Netflix subscribers can watch Medium, Frasier, Cheers, Star Trek, Twin Peaks and more via the Watch Instantly feature. Unfortunately for viewers, CBS is still wary of putting recent or currently-running shows on Netflix, because they want to keep the reruns (and the ad revenue) for themselves.

The deal is non-exclusive, so these shows could also be licensed by Hulu or any other Netflix competitor. On the plus side for Netflix, this deal makes it the first streaming video service to have content from all four broadcast networks.

Netflix and CBS sign deal for more streaming shows originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> CBSnetflixshowsstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideotelevisiontvvideovideo on demandVideoOnDemandwatch instantlyWatchInstantly Jay Hathaway Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Twitter for BlackBerry beta adds push notifications, threaded DM conversations]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/twitter-for-blackberry-beta-adds-push-notifications-threaded-dm/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/twitter-for-blackberry-beta-adds-push-notifications-threaded-dm/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/twitter-for-blackberry-beta-adds-push-notifications-threaded-dm/#comments twitter for blackberry beta Twitter for BlackBerry has a new beta release that adds some very important features, including push notifications for @mentions, direct message threading, and geotagging support. Twitter for BlackBerry 1.1 beta is now available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone.

The new push @mentions feature notifies you with a pop-up when you get a new @reply, and you can set it to work with any @mention or cut down on spam by only pushing messages from people who follow you. For private messages, the new chat-style layout allows you to easily keep track of longer direct message conversations. There's also a #topic autocomplete feature that will automatically complete hashtags you've posted or searched for previously. On top of these new features, Twitter for BlackBerry also has an updated look that matches the new Twitter.com.

Sure, this a beta version, but the update looks like a must-have because of the pile of new features it introduces. At long last, the official Twitter client for BlackBerry is finally starting to catch up to the equivalent apps on other platforms!

Twitter for BlackBerry beta adds push notifications, threaded DM conversations originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsblackberrypushpush notificationsPushNotificationstwitterTwitter for BlackBerryTwitterForBlackberry Jay Hathaway Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Hipmunk Flight Search app comes to iOS]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/hipmunk-flight-search-app-comes-to-ios/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/hipmunk-flight-search-app-comes-to-ios/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/hipmunk-flight-search-app-comes-to-ios/#comments hipmunk ios appHipmunk is a unique flight search service that rates airfares based on cost, length of trip, and "agony," a score that combines price, duration and number of stops, and now there's a Hipmunk Flight Search app for iPhone and iPad that lets you search and book flights on the go. The app is extremely well-designed, and it's arguably easier and more fun to use than Hipmunk's Web interface.

Searching flights is a snap: enter airports, tap your travel dates on a calendar, and start browsing flights. There are tabs for each of Hipmunk's scores (duration, cost, and agony), and you can buy the flight right from Hipmunk. There's also the convenient option to finish your transaction on your desktop by entering a code into the Hipmunk website. Hipmunk already does a great job searching flights across all the cheapest airlines and services, but adding a well-thought-out iOS app to its roster really sets it apart from the competition.

Gallery: Hipmunk Flight Search for iOS Screenshots

Hipmunk Flight Search app comes to iOS originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> airfareappsflightshipmunkhipmunk flight searchHipmunkFlightSearchiosipadiphonetravel Jay Hathaway Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:45:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Twidroyd and UberSocial - formerly UberTwitter - get Twitter API access back]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/twidroyd-and-ubersocial-formerly-ubertwitter-get-twitter-api/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/twidroyd-and-ubersocial-formerly-ubertwitter-get-twitter-api/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/twidroyd-and-ubersocial-formerly-ubertwitter-get-twitter-api/#comments Twidroyd and UberSocial (formerly UberTwitter) have regained access to Twitter's APIs and should now be functioning as normal. Twitter suspended the apps -- owned by UberMedia -- pending changes that would bring them in line with Twitter's API terms of use. Ubermedia has made the changes to Twitter's satisfaction, although Twitter still intends to periodically review the company's apps for compliance. Two other Ubermedia apps, UberSocial for iPhone and UberCurrent, are still under review and haven't been restored yet.

In a public statement posted at TechCrunch, Twitter said,
Developers using the Twitter API have a responsibility not to violate the rules designed to protect our users and the long-term health and vitality of the Twitter platform. If you use the API that we support at great cost with our infrastructure and engineers, you sign up to abide by the rules for its use. While we don't pre-review every application the way, say, Apple does in its App Store, that is no excuse to violate the rules or see what you can get away with.
UberTwitter's name change to UberSocial apparently resolved the trademark part of Twitter's complaint, and a privacy issue surrounding DMs longer than 140 characters has also been fixed. When Twitter initially shut off UberMedia's apps, its said they were changing the content of users' tweets to make money, but never gave specifics. The problem must be fixed now, though, because Twitter has decided that UberMedia's apps now comply with the TOS.

Twidroyd and UberSocial - formerly UberTwitter - get Twitter API access back originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidAPIappsblackberryiosmobilesuspensiontwidroydtwitterubermediaubersocialubertwitterviolations Jay Hathaway Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Adult Swim app brings full episodes and games to iPad and iPhone]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/adult-swim-app-iphone-ipad/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/adult-swim-app-iphone-ipad/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/adult-swim-app-iphone-ipad/#comments Adult Swim is brining its lineup of shows and games to the iPad and iPhone via a new, free app. The app lets you watch full episodes of Adult Swim favorites, including Venture Brothers, Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and it also serves as a dashboard for Adult Swim games.

Many of the games are paid apps -- usually priced at a reasonable 99 cents -- which is the same price you'd pay for them as standalone apps anyway. Adult Swim's most popular iPhone game, Robot Unicorn Attack, is of course part of the lineup. And just so you have no excuse to bother closing the Adult Swim app, there's also a clock, a calculator and weather info.

There are additional easter eggs to find, and more feature updates on the way, but Adult Swim's app is already a must-have for fanboys and casual viewers alike, especially because it's available for free.

Gallery: Adult Swim iOS App Screenshots


Adult Swim app brings full episodes and games to iPad and iPhone originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> adult swimAdultSwimappsepisodesfull episodesFullEpisodesgamingiosipadiphonetelevisionvideo Jay Hathaway Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Google Docs Viewer adds 12 new file types]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/google-docs-viewer-adds-12-new-file-types/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/google-docs-viewer-adds-12-new-file-types/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/google-docs-viewer-adds-12-new-file-types/#comments Google Docs is getting better and better at replacing desktop office software. Today, Google added support for 12 new file types in Google Docs Viewer, including all remaining Microsoft Office file types, Apple's Pages format, and Adobe's Photoshop and Illustrator files. A few important niche document types made the cut, too. Designers rejoice, because TrueType fonts and vector graphics files are now supported. Engineers and architects, you've now got support for AutoCAD files.

Here's the full list of a dozen new things you can view and share in Google Docs:
  • Microsoft Excel (.XLS and .XLSX)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 / 2010 (.PPTX)
  • Apple Pages (.PAGES)
  • Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
  • Adobe Photoshop (.PSD)
  • Autodesk AutoCAD (.DXF)
  • Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG)
  • PostScript (.EPS, .PS)
  • TrueType (.TTF)
  • XML Paper Specification (.XPS)
Some document and image types are also getting a Quick View feature and a "view" link in Gmail that will let you preview them in the Google Docs Viewer when they're sent as attachments.

Google Docs Viewer adds 12 new file types originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsfile typesFileTypesgooglegoogle docsgoogle docs viewerGoogleDocsGoogleDocsViewerofficewebweb appsWebApps Jay Hathaway Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST Download Squad <![CDATA[Twitter suspends UberTwitter and Twidroyd for policy violations]]> http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/ubertwitter-and-twidroyd-suspended-from-twitter-for-privacy-violations/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/ubertwitter-and-twidroyd-suspended-from-twitter-for-privacy-violations/ http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/ubertwitter-and-twidroyd-suspended-from-twitter-for-privacy-violations/#comments Users of popular Twitter clients UberTwitter and Twidroyd found that they couldn't log into Twitter today, and a post in the Twitter help center explains why: UberTwitter and Twidroyd have been suspended for violating Twitter's policies. TechCrunch followed up with Twitter on the suspensions and discovered that the suspended apps were violating Twitter's privacy, trademark and monetization rules.

Twitter spokesperson Carolyn Penner told TechCrunch, "Violations include, but aren't limited to, a privacy issue with private Direct Messages longer than 140 characters, trademark infringement, and changing the content of users' Tweets in order to make money."

Both UberTwitter and Twidroyd were recently purchased by UberMedia, a company that has been buying up Twitter clients (Echofon and TweetDeck are other recent purchases) and adding them to its Twitter ad network. The trademark issues probably arose because of the "Twitter" in UberTwitter's name, but whatever UberMedia did to provoke Twitter's ire is more likely an issue with paid tweets or tweeting ads on behalf of users. Twitter has made in-stream ad networks a strict no-no under its API terms. It will be interesting to see what specific violation it found in UberMedia's case, but so far it hasn't been revealed.

UPDATE: UberMedia chief Bill Gross has tweeted that his company will make Twitter's requested changes to UberTwitter and twidroyd, and they expect to have the apps "back up and running ASAP."

Twitter suspends UberTwitter and Twidroyd for policy violations originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidappsblackberrycontroversysocialnetworkingtwidroydtwitterubermediaubertwitterviolations Jay Hathaway Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:03:00 EST Download Squad