Web Warp Blog has been retired. For new posts please head to dmather.com.

Tuesday 30 June 2009

Wolfram|Alpha

Wolfram|Alpha is a new search engine (everyone sighs...) but unlike Microsoft's Bing which try's to make decisions for you or other Google rivals that actually don't work (yes Cuil I mean you!) Wolfram|Alpha is maths based. It doesn't try to search the internet for products and services it searches for statistics and numbers. You can enter in a place, such as London and it will return with the population and a whole host of other numerical facts. You can enter a date (such as when you were born) and it will tell you how long ago or far away that day is. It even knows the meaning of life! It's embedded below so you can try it out from within this blog post! Enjoy!

Windows 7 Versions

Microsoft have published on their website a list of the Windows 7 versions and what each of them contain ahead of it's launch later this year. Unlike Windows Vista, Windows 7 releases build on the feature set of the version below. This will be a great relief to users who may want a combination of 'business' and 'home' features without forking out for the Ultimate version. Here is a link to the versions page

Windows 7 starter will also be available for netbooks and underpowered notebooks/laptops.

Microsoft's new set of 3 versions of Windows 7 (Home Premium, Business & Ultimate) and Windows 7 Starter are yet to rival the simplicity of selecting an appropriate OS for a Mac as there is only Mac OS X Leopard (coming later this year Mac OS X Snow Leopard).

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Adobe release Reader 9

Adobe Reader 9 is now available to download. Here are some reasons to upgrade: Improved Launch Speed, compatibility with Adobe Acrobat 9 Formats including PDF Portfolios, compatibility with new online features. For more a more in depth analysis of what's new in 9 click here.

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Firefox 3.5 RC

Mozilla's open source web browser, Firefox, is being updated to version 3.5. At the moment developers can download Firefox 3.5 Release Candidate to work on add-ons/themes/etc for when the new version is finally released.

Spread Firefox Affiliate Button

Mozilla Firefox seems to be the most powerful browser you can download. [They claim, as all web browser developers do, that theirs is the quickest.] By powerful I mean that it is cross platform and widely accepted as 'the alternative' web browser on all formats. For example on a Windows PC you are expected to use Internet Explorer unless you are into computing. In which case you will probably choose to download Firefox over Apple Safari or Opera. Firefox is familiar to IE users and highly customisable. I think that the open source community also appeals to users. On a Mac Apple hope that you will use the bundled Safari, which is very good. They more than accept that Firefox is the ideal cross platform alternative browser because although Mozilla Firefox correctly displays and is compatible with MobileMe's www.me.com Apple don't have to advertise this, but they do. Apple support MobileMe on Safari (Mac & PC) and Firefox (Mac & PC). In doing so they allow PC users to continue using Firefox and use their MobileMe service.

Sunday 21 June 2009

Muse: 'The Resistance' Release Date Annouced!

Muse's 5th studio album 'The Resistance' will be out on the 14th September 2009 it was announced on the bands website.

Thanks to Punctualwaffle for this story!

Friday 19 June 2009

iPhone 3GS Out Now!

iPhone 3GS is now available direct from O2 or through the Carphone Warehouse in the UK. 16GB Black iPhone 3GS still says 'coming soon' but the other 3GS's are available.

Thursday 18 June 2009

iPhone OS 3.0 is here!

For the iPod Touch (&iPhone) you can now use bluetooth stereo headphones, but for the iPod Touch Bluetooth was never advertised as a hardware feature! For full details of the 3.0 software update:
iPod Touch changes
iPhone 3G Changes

Tuesday 16 June 2009

iPhone OS 3.0 is nearly here...

Only 24 hours until iPhone OS 3.0 is available to download… I hope Apple have beefed up their servers!!!

Friday 12 June 2009

iTunes add Muse back catalogue to UK store

Apple iTunes have added a whole load of Muse back catalogue to their UK store. EP's include:
Dead Star/ In Your World - EP
Cave - EP
Muscle Museum - EP
Plug In Baby - EP
Uno - EP
Feeling Good / Hyper Music - EP
Unintended - EP
New Born - EP
Bliss - EP

And there are loads more that were already on iTunes. You can get most of their catalogue now on the UK iTunes Music Store.
Muse

Google Celebrate 25 Years of Tetris


Google used a special version of their Google logo last week to celebrate 25 years of Tetris. www.google.com
Google

Thursday 11 June 2009

New Element For Periodic Table

The Periodic Table is to be updated with a new element. It has no name yet and it has an atomic mass of 112. It is a 'super-heavy' element. For more details see this BBC article: Click Here

Tuesday 9 June 2009

Apple announce OS X Snow Leopard & iPhone 3GS

Apple have announced that the next version of their operating system, OS X, will be released in September as OS X Snow Leopard. It's basically better in every way from OS X Leopard. In the US you will be able to upgrade from $29!

Apple also unveiled new hardware for the iPhone: iPhone 3GS. The S has a better camera, although no flash, and 2x quicker hardware. The new iPhone OS 3.0 will be available from June 17th.

For more information see www.apple.com

Monday 8 June 2009

WWDC09 Kicks off

WWDC09 - Apple's World Wide Developer Connection Conference 2009 starts today and runs until Friday. Mac rumour sites suggest iPhone hardware updates. From the developer special event a few months ago we know that iPhone OS 3.0 will be unveiled complete with new apps that utilise it's new features. We will keep you update with ground breaking annoucments here at www.webwarp.co.uk.
For information click here for the WWDC09 website.

Saturday 6 June 2009

Facebook & Twitter on Xbox 360 Announced at E3

Xbox Live will be bring Facebook and Twitter to your TV through your Xbox 360 this autumn. This looks well though out and complements the NXE perfectly. For a video from E3 click here. Sorry it's not embedded like www.youtube.com videos are!

Microsoft Announce New Features for Xbox 360 at E3

At E3 in LA last week Microsoft announced a load of new features for their Xbox 360 console. The announcements range from a new controller, Project Natal, new games and new third party features. The first (and most exciting) announcement is Project Natal. A new 'controller' that uses YOU are YOUR actions to control on screen action. It uses cameras and microphones to bring you into the game. No more button bashing to win at Street Fighter! Here is what Microsoft say about Project Natal on the xbox website.
Introducing Project Natal, a revolutionary new way to play: no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak you and your friends can jump into the fun -- the only experience needed is life experience.
Check out xbox's Project Natal page for more information.
News of social networking features and new games coming soon...

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Muse announce The Resistance tour


Muse will be playing 30 dates across Europe this autumn to promote their fourthcoming album 'The Resistance'.
Check out www.muse.mu for more details!