Canonical has just released some more details and pictures of Ubuntu Mobile, a version of the popular Linux OS designed for mobile devices using Intel’s Silverthorn processor. News that Ubuntu Mobile was in progress has been known for some time, but it looks as though the operating system is coming closer to an official release. Source code is available now to developers, note that we do not recommend installing it on a device unless you’re willing to risk erasing all of your data.

Details we know so far: Ubuntu Mobile will include touch-screen support and large icons. The OS is designed for 4.8-inch through 7-inch screens with resolutions from 800 x 480 pixels to 1024 x 768 pixels. The default web browser is based on Firefox and supports Flash 9 and Java.

Some of the applications will include:

Skype with Video support
Audio and video players
An email client with support for POP and IMAP
An RSS Reader
PIM software

Via Canonical

Ubuntu 8.04 final is almost ready for its scheduled April launch. Canonical, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, has released the Alpha 5 of the popular Linux distribution. A great addition that Alpha 5 offers is a new installation option: Users can either run and install Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 5 using a LiveCD, or they can use Wubi to install Ubuntu to a partition from within Windows.

Updates in the latest Alpha release:

Firefox 3 beta 3 is the default web browser
Xorg 7.3 now included
PulseAudio is used by default
Now uses Linux kernel 2.6.24
Brasero CD/DVD burning application, replaces the Serpentine CD burning utility
Transmission BitTorrent client replaces Gnome BitTorrent
Vinagre VNC client replaces xvnc4viewer

Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 5 is available for download. Go get it. We recommend you back-up your files before upgrading.

Via Ubuntu

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.

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.

Most of us have some personal files on our computers. Hopefully no one has passwords or credit card numbers in a text file. For those who have only a few personal files we recommend that you download Lockbox. It is easy to use, and meets most users needs. If you want a program that offers more features check out TrueCrypt. It is free but packs many great features.

TrueCrypt 5 was released today, and has some great new additions:

Support for Mac OS X
New Graphical user interface for Linux version
Ability to encrypt system partitions

Via Slashdot

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.

Mozilla has finally given us the beta release of Firefox 3. Not like the pre-beta release a couple of weeks ago.

The only differences between this beta and that pre-release version are that the Firefox team has fixed more bugs. The rest of it is the same.

New in Beta 1:

Updates to the Gecko rendering engine which should improve stability.
New Places feature makes it easier to find the sites you’ve visited most recently, most often, or starred for coming back to later.
New security features alert you when you’re visiting insecure web sites and let you auto-scan downloads with your antivirus software

We are still going to keep using Firefox 2 until all the bugs have been worked out.

Mozilla plans on releasing Mac, Linux, and Windows versions of Firefox but not quite yet. This morning a digg user found Firefox 3 beta on Mozilla’s server. Now Mozilla has blocked access to it with a nice thank you message. We managed to download it in time to try it out.

Many of you won’t notice many changes from Firefox 2. Firefox 3 beta will import all of your settings, bookmarks, add-ons and plugins from Firefox 2 so you may think you have not upgraded properly. One thing we did notice is a star, its use is to remember websites you like or want to come back to later. Firefox 3 beta has a completely redesigned bookmark system in Firefox 3 its name is Places. We found it to be very useful.

Some other new features include a redesigned plugin manager, security requirements for upgrading add-ons, and an enhanced security system that alerts you of suspected attacks.

Mozilla says it will have a new theme but we have not had the chance to see it yet.

Ubuntu comes in all kinds. There is a Ubuntu that is made for slower systems, Edubuntu for kids and teachers, and Kubuntu with those who prefer Windows-like interface.

At its core, Mythbuntu is Ubuntu without many add-ons like OpenOffice.org, Evolution, or desktop effects. Mythbuntu is all about media. The application ships with the XFCE4 lightweight desktop, because you’ll never see the desktop.

Mythbuntu includes everything you need to set up a MythTV frontend or backend. That means you can watch and record live TV, with a TV tuner, watch videos, listen to music, or browse pictures, all by using a 10-foot user interface. You could just add the MythTV packages to your current Ubuntu system, but Mythbuntu works right out of the box.

Because Mythbuntu comes works as a LiveCD, you can test out hardware compatibility before installing any software. The LiveCD works as a MythTV frontend, letting you mount shared network drives to play audio or video.