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

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Most of Google’s services are optimized for mobile web browsers, including their search page, Google News, RSS reader, and email client. Google has yet to release a version for Windows Mobile, so developer Bryan Burkholder decided to create one. It is called Google2Go.

The application supports almost all Google mobile services, including:

Google web, image, and local search
Google Calendar
Google Reader
Gmail
Google Docs
Picasa
Google News
Google Notes

Google2Go requires a Windows Mobile 6 Professional device with a touchscreen, but Burkholder plans to add support for other devices later this year.

via Google Blogoscoped

Some time ago, Mozilla announced plans to create a new organization responsible for development of the Thunderbird e-mail client. Mozilla’s hugely popular Firefox web browser has been getting most of the attention from both developers and internet users, while Thunderbird has been standing in the dark.

Tuesday, David Ascher announced that the new Thunderbird project has a new name: Mozilla Messaging. He also released the following about Thunderbird 3:

An integrated calendar
Improved search
Easier configuration

In the long run, Ascher says the team is focusing on internet communication. Most people use instant messaging, IRC, blogs, and VoIP to communicate along side email. We hope to see an instant chat add-on included.

Firefox 3 beta 3 is now available to be downloaded. Updated versions include Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. There aren’t any major new features, but it does have improved OS-specific themes and a new bookmark/history manager. Check out Mozilla Links for a list of changes in the latest beta.

Firstly Firefox 3 beta 3 blends in better in Windows XP, Vista, OS X, and Linux. The new themes are still looking beta, but you will notice redesigned icons and some small changes to the toolbar layout. For example, the backward and forward buttons in the Windows version have been combined into one button. We actually like how it looks… and we found that it to be a faster way of going back and forward.

You will find that the Mac and Linux versions now have native windows for file and text selection boxes and other menus. And the OS X version also includes Growl integration.

Something that we have always wanted is now here. When you try to close multiple tabs or close a browser session with multiple tabs open, Firefox will ask if you want to save your session.

A bunch of ‘coffee people’ became happy yesterday, when Starbucks announced it would be partnering with AT&T to provide free WiFi. Starbucks has said that about 7,000 locations nationwide will carry the new service. Will small cafes hurt due to Starbucks offering free WiFi. We believe so.

Ok so is it really free? Well sort of, you get two hours free, but only if you buy coffee with a Starbucks card. This doesn’t seem to bad to us, though: you’ll just have to put your espresso money on a gift card instead of cash. After using WiFi for two hours, you can buy additional hours at a rate of $3.99 an additional two hours, and the unlimited monthly plan is $20. Existing AT&T customers, will be able to use the new Starbucks hotspots for free.

T-Mobile is getting the boot, but if you already bought a T-Mobile plan, AT&T is allowing existing customers to use their accounts on the new hotspots.

Via Switched

Kindo.com allows you to create your family tree online. When you first visit the site it asks you for some information, name, gender, and your email address. Once you enter that in you are ready to add members to your family tree. Adding members to the tree is simple, and you are able to invite family members to Kindo to fill in people in your tree you might have missed. Kindo allows you to create profiles for members of you tree including a picture, email address, home address, phone number, birthday, website, and AIM screenname.

Kindo has taken privacy into account making only family members able to view your information.

Also check out One Family.

Via Download Squad

Mozilla has released a new version of Firefox to fix security problems. The most common problem that Version 2.0.0.12 hopes to fix are program crashes and corruption of stored passwords.

Other fixes include security holes, including browser history and navigation, holes related to multiple file inputs, and URL token stealing. Be sure to update for best security.

Box.net has joined Google in offering more collaboration features. The well known online file storage service Box.net has added a new invite collaborators button that makes it easy to share a folder with other Box.net users.

This feature is great for users that have images, documents, and any other files they want to share with another user, all they have to do is just right-click and enter the email addresses of the receiving user(s). The recieveing user will then be able to access the contents sent. There is a feature that lets users specify if the receiving user may edit the folders contents or just view it.

In the future we hope Box.net will offer applications for editing documents and spreadsheets, like Google Docs.

Via Box.net

Firefox 3 beta 2 is now available to be downloaded. Updated versions include Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

The new version displays many improvements over beta 1, best improvements include plugs for memory leaks, security fixes, and a better download manager.

The updates to the download manager are very good. The new manager allows you resume stopped downloads, and it includes a built in virus detector.

One great new feature is the ability to zoom in on a Web page. There’s now one-click bookmarking and smart folders for bookmarks.

The Mozilla claims that Web site rendering is faster than it was in FF3 beta 1, we didn’t notice any difference. But from Firefox 2 to Firefox 3 beta 1 we did see an improvement in speed.

You may download a portable version of Firefox 3 beta 2 from Portable Apps.

Skype has just released a new version, Skype 2.7 beta for Mac. The best feature in the lasted build is support for OS X 10.5 Leopard. Skype is also not forgeting Linux, and PC as they update those versions often.

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