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How to Enable Bookmark Syncing in Chrome, Without an Add-on [Google Chrome]

Posted on August 17, 2009
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Okay, so just a few minutes ago we pointed out that Xmarks now syncs bookmarks with Chrome—albeit in closed alpha test. Now Google announces that the latest Chrome dev channel release—4.0.201.1—adds bookmark synchronization without any add-ons.

It’s interesting timing, to be sure, and we’d guess the Xmarks folks were probably watching the dev channel and decided to rush the announcement to beat Google to the punch. The fact is, Xmarks still offers something fairly different from what Google’s sync tool will offer: namely, Xmarks will be able to sync between Chrome and virtually any other popular browser, including Firefox, IE, and Safari.

Chrome’s sync tool will only work with Chrome, which means if you haven’t decided you’re ready to be a full-on Chrome adopter, Xmarks will probably remain the better option. Still, it’s great to see progress all around with bookmark syncing in Chrome.

You’ll need to use the Google Chrome Channel Chooser to join the Dev channel to get this release, start Chrome with the --enable-sync flag (right-click your Chrome shortcut, select Properties, then add --enable-sync behind the target as I've done in the screenshot), then just go to Wrench -> Sync my bookmarks.

Dev Channel Update [Google Chrome Releases]





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First Look at Firefox 4.0 Design Mockups [Firefox]

Posted on July 27, 2009
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Last week we took a look at initial design mockups for Firefox 3.7, and now the busy designers at Mozilla are back with some theme mockups for the even-further-into-the-future Firefox 4.0.

(Click any of the images for a closer look.)

As you can see in the screenshot above, the Firefox folks are toying with the idea of a Google Chrome-like tabs-on-top interface.

They're also looking at consolidating the Stop, Refresh, and Go buttons to save a little extra space in the toolbar—similar to a user chrome tweak we’ve been using for quite a while.

Keep in mind that all of the changes you see here are not final—they're just exploring different ideas for upcoming releases of Firefox. Similarly, it'll be quite some time before either Firefox 4.0 or Firefox 3.7 hits servers, so if you like the basic look but want to get it now, here's how to make Firefox 3.5 look like Firefox 3.7.





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Wireshark 1.2 Includes 64-Bit Support, Mapping Integration [Networking]

Posted on June 29, 2009
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Windows/Mac/Linux: Popular network analyzer Wireshark threw a lot of useful features into its 1.2 update, giving net traffic watchers OpenStreetMap+GeoIP integration, new capture file support, and other updates.

The previously featured utility is just as net-geeky as ever, showing packet movements as they happen along DNS, TCP, UDP, and other protocols and interfaces. On top of that, the app formerly known as Ethereal added a bunch of conveniences and tweaks:

  • Display filters now autocomplete.
  • A 64-bit Windows (x64) installer is now provided.
  • GeoIP database lookups.
  • Improved Postscript print output.
  • Support for Pcap-ng, the next-generation capture file format.
  • Column widths are now saved.
  • Capinfos now shows the average packet rate.

Hit up the link below for the full release notes, as well as details on known bugs. Wireshark is a free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.





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TweetDeck Adds Multi-Column iPhone Client, Account Syncing [Downloads]

Posted on June 17, 2009
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Windows/Mac/Linux/iPhone: TweetDeck, the Twitter client that helps cut through social noise, has unleashed a clever version of its popular multi-column app for iPhones, as well as made it easy to synchronize columns and work with multiple Twitter accounts.

The column synchronization is a smart move, considering many fans of TweetDeck’s increasingly popular desktop client are likely to try out the iPhone and iPod touch version and not want to have to add in all their columns again. The desktop versions don’t seem to synchronize all your actual app settings, though, so our previously posted migration tip is worth checking out.

As for the client updates themselves, well, TweetDeck as run on Adobe AIR hasn’t changed all that much, other than allowing for controlling multiple Twitter accounts, which power users will love and may migrate over for. The iPhone app does a great job of recreating the multi-column control of TweetDeck through sliding tabs, and offers most of the functionality for reading and posting that other popular apps like Seesmic and TwitterFon. Most importantly, it does what its desktop counterparts does—sifts and sorts through all kinds of noise to let you get at your replies, messages, and most relevant search terms quickly.

TweetDeck is a free download for iPhones and iPod touch models through the App Store, and via the Adobe AIR platform on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Click through the screenshots below for a bigger look at TweetDeck’s iPhone client and multi-account desktop integration.


TweetDeck’s main view. Click on a column to zoom in and scroll through, then hit the “Columns” button again to switch to the 10-feet-away view.

Composing a new tweet in TweetDeck, with options for TwitPic-powered photos (from camera or your saved photos), web links (which seem to be waiting for cut and paste to drop today to start working), and adding geo-location map URLs.

Adding a new column from the iPhone is pretty easy, and doing so with a TweetDeck account enabled syncs it to your desktop versions.

The multi-account manager in TweetDeck’s Adobe AIR client. I don’t have multiple Twitter accounts, but from other screenshots, it only takes one button click when composing or replying to decide which account your message comes from.

Synchronization of columns back to your TweetDeck account, so they show up on your iPhone and other desktops.





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MediaMonkey Updates, Improves Performance, Adds Full-Text Search [Updates]

Posted on June 15, 2009
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Windows only: Popular iTunes-alternative MediaMonkey updates to version 3.1 today, bringing a giant list of fixes and improvements that include friendlier full-text search, iPod Shuffle 3G support, performance boosts (due in no small part to multicore processing support, says CNET), better album art rendering, and smoother syncing. In short, if you're already a MediaMonkey junkie (many of you are—and we like it, too), it’s worth a download. [MediaMonkey]





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Google Chrome Development Builds Get Full-Screen Mode [Google Chrome]

Posted on February 27, 2009
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Windows only: The latest cutting-edge developer build of Google Chrome adds a new full-screen mode accessible through the F11 key. There's no UI—just a full-screen browser window with a scrollbar, so you'll have to take it out of full-screen mode to enter a new URL (though you can open a new tab with Ctrl+T and search from there).

You’ll need to download the Google Chrome Channel Chooser and switch to the Dev channel to get the latest updates if you’re brave enough to deal with potential problems of an experimental build. [via]





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Windows 7 Beta Product Keys Now Available (For Real!) [Windows 7]

Posted on January 9, 2009
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After a daylong rollercoaster drama during which Windows 7 Beta gave us a false-alarm release followed by a server smackdown, Microsoft is finally handing out honest to goodness product keys for the beta.

Update: Gina says, "If the instructions below don't work for you—and they didn't for me when this was posted on Friday night or on Saturday morning—try these links, which did.”

Reader Daniel says:

The following steps worked for me:

  1. Login in you Passport account, for example, here.
  2. Without closing the Passport page, open one of the following in a new tab:
    Windows 7 Beta 32-bit
    Windows 7 Beta 64-bit

The 32-bit link may need to be refreshed many times, about 15 for me until it worked.

I gave it a try, and the same worked for me and several Lifehacker commenters. I’m guessing these servers are going to take the same sort of hits we saw earlier today, so your mileage may vary. Other Lifehacker editors are reporting redirects when they try it, as are many commenters. Oy.

One reader suggests that keys are only going out to those who registered earlier today, before the beta was taken down. We can’t confirm this, but it seems to hold true for what we’re experiencing here at Lifehacker HQ.

It’s been a long day, Windows enthusiasts, so smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. If you were able to secure the download and a key (or just the download, really, since it works just fine without the key for at least a month), here’s how to install and dual-boot Windows 7 with XP or Vista for your weekend project.






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Google Chrome 2.0 Pre-Beta Now Available, Supports Profile Switching, User Scripts [Beta Beat]

Posted on January 8, 2009
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Google Chrome 2.0 is now available in pre-beta form from the folks at GOOG for anyone anxious enough to keep up with the cutting edge releases of Chrome. The 2.0 release boasts several fixes and updated features, including support for user scripts (à la Greasemonkey but not yet full Greasemonkey compatibility), easy profile switching, form autofill (à la every browser in the world), and full page zooming. You'll need to download the Google Chrome Channel Chooser and join the Dev channel if you’re ready to get started on the 2.0 path. [via]






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