domainrange

Baidu Browser is Google Chrome Copy-Cat including Angry Birds Rip-Off

2011-07-21T05:08:00.000-07:00

Baudi, China's search dominator has launched their very own browser today. Look familiar?

The new browser is a clear rip off of Chrome, albeit it inspired by an older version which still featured the large app icons in the tab bar.

The best thing? It even comes with it's own Angry Birds rip off (see screenshot below) with even more annoying music than the original (and that is really saying something...)

Will it see favour with the Chinese public? Only time will tell..

Google tests new Autocomplete UI

2011-07-21T03:55:00.001-07:00

As part of the eternal UI testing we've seen lately Google is testing a new style of autocomplete on their UK version of the site.

It's unclear what place the greyed out words will have with this new interface, since although they are both being shown together right now I can't see that being final implementation.

The new apps-integrated Chrome home screen

2010-06-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

As always, DomainRange have the latest on how the newly launched Apps for Google Chrome are going to integrate into the current New Tab page in the future might be interested by the attached screenshot. This is the latest Chromium build manages showing both sets of icons.

Nothing ground breaking, but definitely interesting! Seems very promising for the future of a web based OS... Now how long until they're bullied into supporting folders of applications or multiple home screens... hmm...

Anyone interested can try out the setup for themselves by following the instructions here.

ChromeOS Early Screenshots

2010-06-11T05:01:00.002-07:00

This is basically for all the geeks out there who can't help but speculate over ChromeOS features. I've been doing lots of digging into the latest ChromeOS and Chrome developments lately. Here are some of the more interesting screenshots I've found.

Image 1 is the first thing a user will see when they start up a ChromeOS machine for the first time.

Image 2 is the new login screen for ChromeOS that will be used to select which user to login as. After logging in I believe you'll be restored with all of your tabs/extensions/bookmarks just where you were when you left off on any other ChromeOS device.

Image 3 is one of the ways ChromeOS will support switching tabs (possibly windows too, I'm unsure).

Credit for the 3rd image goes to the GoogleOperatingSystem blog which is definitely worth taking a look at!

New parts of the Chrome UI now visible, hinting at ChromeOS UI features

2010-05-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

Installable applications for Chrome landed in Chrome Dev and Chromium earlier today, and have made it now is possible to expose the new Panels UI as well as a different style of Window built into Chrome. These new UI features give large hints towards how the ChromeOS UI may appear.

Here are the 2 new modes for viewing a webpage (in the new App mode). Notice how both the Panel and the new Window don't show the URL bar. Also, in the new window option, the tab is shown, but if you attempt to open a new tab in this window, it will open in the old window, not within the new App. I'm using a Flash chess game as the example below.

New Panel UI:

New Window UI:

Boring old "I-opened-this-like-any-other-link" UI:

If you have any ideas about how these will fit into ChromeOS (particularily the new window, as we've seen panels demoed as part of ChromeOS already), lets hear about it in the comments section!

First Suite of Chrome Applications Available

2010-05-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

As I said in my last post, I'm excited Chromium now supports applications installable straight into the start page. Here are the first things you must do to be able to run these applications, then simply chose some to try from below!

To enable Chrome to run apps, simply right click on your shortcut and edit it to have the following properties: "chrome.exe --enable-apps ", then close and re-open Chrome.

Now simply click on one of the below icons to install the application for it!

(Gmail) (Trillian IM) (Spark Chess)

Update: The Chess app is now an offline application. Try installing it and then turning off internet! Great example of how apps will work in Chrome OS without internet connections.

First Chrome Application Ready for Trying

2010-05-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Update (06/06/2011): This guide is now out of date, refer to the Chrome Web Store for chrome apps you can now use!

Following the recent announcement of Chromium supporting 'Installable Web-Apps," here is a guide to try them out before the launch of the official app store.

I have attached to this post a demo of Spark Chess wrapped as a web app, simply following the following instructions to try it out:

Start Chrome with the ---enable-apps flag (right click on your shortcut and edit the link it to have read as follows: "chrome.exe --enable-apps")
Click here in Chrome to install the app!
BONUS: If you want to try out some other applications, I've written another blog post with more links to try out here.

Good luck! Post if you had any problems or thoughts in the comments.

Edit (20/05/2010): Thanks DownloadSquad for writing about and linking back to this page. You can read the article they wrote here.

Edit (21/05/2010): Updated to the correct flag.

Edit (25/05/2010): Updated to the correct flag (it seems to change every build atm).

Edit (13/12/2010): Removed the app since manifest details have changed it no longer installs and this guide is all out of date now, refer to the Chrome Web Store for apps now.

Facebook Notifications Checker for Google Chrome

2009-11-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Facebook Notifications Checker
Version: 0.1
Released: Nov 13, 2009
Creator: Owen Campbell-Moore
Chrome Only: Facebook Notifications Checker updates a little icon in the browser every time you get a new notification on Facebook.
No setup required, this extension automatically works once your account is logged in to facebook.
License: Facebook Notifications Checker is licensed under the GNU Public License.
Download Facebook Notifications Checker

SpotifyRawr enables Snarl support for Spotify

2009-05-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

SpotifyRawr

Version: 0.1
Released: May 26, 2009
Creator: Owen Campbell-Moore

Windows Only: SpotifyRawr enables Snarl support for Spotify.

Simply extract and launch this to run and it'll sit in your task tray using only 800k of memory! Every time a new track starts playing it will send a notification. To send one on demand click on the icon in the tray. Right clicking the icon brings up the debug box and allows you to close SpotifyRawr. To make it run on startup drag all the files into the "Startup" folder. Please keep the files all together or the program may break!

Note:SpotifyRawr is in 0.1 Alpha so bugs are very probable. If you find any please post them here and I will fix them asap!

License: SpotifyRawr is licensed under the GNU Public License.

Download SpotifyRawr

Note: If you dont have it, you will require Snarl to use this application. Download available here.

Spotify: The Future of Music Software

2009-05-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

"A world of music. Instant, simple and free"

Spotify has been around for a few months now, but has spent most of that time in private beta and it's been almost impossible to get invite codes for it; although it still remains invite-only in many countries, if you're in the UK you're in luck and will be able to sign up invite-free! Having used it for a few months now, I can't help but feel Spotify's about to create a big splash in what is already, a very large pond of media players, and possible bring the end to the mighty iTunes (for some, anyway).

Key Features

Free unlimited access to a library of over 40,000 songs from all the major labels and loads of small indie labels.
Instantly search for any song, band or album and play it with no delay for loading of buffering.
Fast and lightweight! In heavy use Spotify still only uses 17mb of your precious RAM, allowing you to just leave your music going without ever worrying about losing any of your speed.
Last.fm support.
Biography of bands appear at the top of their page, provided by 'All Music Guide'
Similar artists and 'Artist Radio' help you discover new music.
Playlist support, including a 'collaborative playlist' feature, allowing you to create a playlist that others can also add to. Like sharing music with friends? This is for you!
HTTP links to songs. When you find something you like, simply right click and click "Copy HTTP link" and send this to your friend with spotify. This will let all your friends be able to instantly hear exactly what you're talking about.

Shortcomings

1 or 2 short adverts (30 seconds long) play about every half an hour, however they are unobstrusive and much less frustrating than those on commercial radio. That said, £0.99 will buy you a day's ad-free listening, or £9.99 for a whole month of free legal music goodness.
No mobile or iPod support. The program works by streaming music on demand, unfortunatley this makes it impossible to support iPods. Mobile compatability is being developed and will be available soon.
No way of purchasing music through Spotify. If you're one of those people who like to actually own your music this might not be for you, with currently no ability to buy music from within Spotify, though this feature is in development.
The software makes extensive use of P2P. If you have high bandwidth allowances and don't mind uploading pretty steadily this is fine, but if you're on a restricted connection this could be a problem.

So straight from the developers who brought you uTorrent, enjoy Spotify!

D o w n load Spotify

Also! I have 10 invites to give out, so if you want one, just email me at owencmoore@gmail.com and I'll send you one! But hurry, they're first come first serve!

How to get a free domain name + 1 year free hosting from DreamHost?

2009-05-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

This offer is no longer available, they must have noticed a sudden influx of members getting free domains...

If you are thinking it’s a joke, it’s NOT. Here is a fully working trick to get a FREE 1-year domain name + Free Unlimited Hosting from DreamHost. Dreamhost is one of world’s most popular and reliable services.

I've tried this method myself and it worked flawlessly. Oh, and if you're wondering, because it see's the cost is $0.00, you don't have to give it any bank details at all.

Follow the steps below carefully to get 1-year domain and Unlimited Dreamhost hosting Free:

Step 1. Sign up for Free Dreamhostapps account. Choose dreamhosters sub-domain in step1. In step 5 fill up your details and sign up.

Step 2. Go to http://www.dreamhost.com/ and click sign up Now and choose to Host a domain

Step 3. Fill all the information in, selecting to pay for one year and adding no extras to the account.

Step 4. Very Important - While entering the address choose country as US and not IN. Also enter the same email address which you used for DreamHostApps.

Step 5. Use the Code BARCAMPLA7 for 100% discount.

Note: This offer code is no longer valid.

Step 6. Enjoy!

[Free hosting tip was originally posted on WebTricks]

Chrome Mouse Gestures

2009-05-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

Rocker

Version: 0.21
Released: May 3, 2009
Original Release: May 7, 2007
Creator: Adam Pash
Editor: Owen Campbell-Moore

Windows Only: Rocker provides mouse gestures in Chrome that let you move forward and backward, by simply rocking your fingers across your left and right mouse buttons.

To use this, simply hold down the left mouse button, the hit the right one to go forward, or hold the right, and then hit the left to go backwards. Simple!

License: Rocker is licensed under the GNU Public License.

Download Rocker [Download Mirror]

[Rocker was originally posted on Lifehacker]