Apple released an updated version of the Safari web browser today, with many improvements on performance, compatibility, and reliability. Safari 3.1 also adds support for CSS 3 web fonts, HTML 5 audio and video elements, and other web standards. Safari was the first browser to pass the Acid2 standards test, but unfortunately it failed to pass the Acid3 test.

The update also includes:

Improved JavaScript performance
Enhancements to the Windows version including localization in 16 languages, Improved back/forward performance, and better pop-up blocking
Double clicking on the tab bar opens a new tab
URL metadata is included when images are dragged or saved from the browser
Support for trackpad gestures back, forward, and magnify on MacBook AIR and Pro computers

Download Safari

Skype 2.7 beta for Mac is the first OS X version to support VGA video at 25 frames per second. Users with a slow internet connection have the option to adjust video settings.

Most likely it will be some time before skype releases a Linux client with VGA support since they just recently added video to Skype 2.0 beta for Linux.

via Skype Journal

Pioneer SyncTV was introduced in private beta today. The service is not one of the first of its kind but there are a some features that make SyncTV better than competitors like Amazon, Apple, and NBC.

One excellent feature is it is compatible with Mac, Linux, and PCs. Users can specify up to 5 computers for playing back videos. And once compatible portable media players are released, users will be able to watch videos on up to 10 different devices.

The service uses subscription, users will pay $2-$4 per channel. A few channels will make their content available on a pay per download. Most of the time users will only have to pay the monthly fee to get unlimited downloads of TV programs.

Like with every new online TV service there is a lack of content. The known channel is Showtime. SyncTV does look promising.

Making Safari faster is very simple:

OPEN: C:\Program Files\Safari\Safari.resources

Open up Defaults.plist (Using Wordpad) add the following line at the end:

<key>WebKitInitialTimedLayoutDelay</key>
<real>0.25</real>

Thats it! Enjoy.

It seems like Skype has almost completed the Linux version. Today Skype released 2.0 beta Linux version adding video support.

Skype 2.0 beta for Linux is available for many Linux distributions including Debian, Mepis, Xandros, Mandriva, and OpenSuse. Support for Ubuntu and Fedora is to come.

Skype 2.0 beta requires a video card driver with Xv support, and a PC with a 1GHz processor.

Some Features Include:
The ability to set up video call with anyone in your contact list.
Group chat with up to 100 people or conference call with up to nine others.

Apple now has over 2 Million Tracks for you to download from expanding its catalog of unencrypted music.

Apple can now legitimately claim to have the largest library of DRM-free music available online. For a some time Amazon has been in the lead, but Apple has caught up. And while there are still a number of major record labels that are not providing DRM-free tracks through any service, it warms our hearts to see a price war between two industry giants battling to offer high quality unencrypted tracks to music fans.

Apple’s DRM-free tracks are all AAC files encoded at 256kbps. New labels offering DRM-free music include Sub Pop, Nettwerk, Beggars Group, IODA, and The Orchard.

Via Apple

Version tested: 2.5.1

Most of us laptop users are concerned about battery life. For Apple users there now is a utility called CoconutBattery.

This tiny utility lets you know about the battery in your computer, like what the current battery charge is and whether the battery is currently charging or not. But it also tells you some out of the ordinary information, like the maximum battery charge & current battery capacity, and original battery capacity, all in mAh.

It also is able to tell you how old your Mac is, and how many times the battery has been recharged. Great info from a little app.

Compatibility: Mac OS

Business Week is reporting that Universal is getting ready to launch their version of iTunes, possibly with support from Sony BMG and Warner Music Group. “Universal Music’s iTunes” plans on offering a  $5 per month subscription service that would let you access a huge library of music.

Via Downloadsquad