Linux Rants

• Is Android Coming to a PC Near You? – Boosh News (press release) (blog)
• Linux Distribution Popularity Trends Plotted
• Google adds Linux support to browser voice and video chat in Gmail
• Samsung Galaxy S gets stock Android 2.1
• Friday Poll: Who can best challenge the iPad? – CNET (blog)
• HP Tablet Hobbled by Lack of WebOS Apps
  (PC World)
• T-Mobile’s G2 photographed

• Google Chrome Web Store Coming in October
• New Haiku Services Kit Takes Shape
• What could Apple’s ‘unknown hardware’ be?
  (Ben Patterson)
• webOS developer spots device with Retina-matching resolution in logs
• Steam Prompts OS X Graphics Update
• Say bye to short, wimpy passwords
• Android 2.2 for Motorola DROID X leaked
• Android 2.2 warning: Froyo and HelixLauncher don’t mix
• New Ubuntu Unity video trailer released
• Apple Patents Remotely Disabling Jailbroken Phones
• Gmail Video Chat Now Available On Linux
• Dell Thunder prototype detailed
• Google HTC Nexus One out of stock
• Details on LG’s enV G and Windows Phone 7 slider
• Rest in Peace: The World Wide Web, 1990 — 2010

– Apparently, the Web is dead. Who knew?

• Gmail Videochat Comes to Linux
• HP to release webOS tablet next year
• Google patches 10 Chrome bugs, pays out $10K in bounties
• Hardware manufacturers and the proprietary problem
• How to integrate Google Docs with your Ubuntu desktop

• Watch out Apple, Android 3.0 tablets may surpass the iPad

– It’s pretty obvious that Android based tablets will outsell iPads, actually. Google/Android hasn’t limited itself to a single carrier or a single device. There will be hundreds of different models, from a multitude of different companies. Any number of features will be offered that Apple won’t match, and the Android will become the defacto standard. The iPad will continue to sell, just like Macs continue to sell, but once they lose their market dominance, it’s EXTREMELY unlikely they’ll get it back barring a major shift in strategy.

• Root Privileges Through Linux Kernel Bug

– Looks like that ones already fixed.

• DROID Pro is DROID 2 world edition, LG enV Touch 2 to run Android?
• How does Intel/McAfee make sense? I think I know…
• Troubleshoot a Windows XP System That Won’t Shut Down
• Update: 40 Windows apps contain critical bug, says researcher
• RIM To Use QNX Software in Upcoming Tablet?
• Google targeting Apple iPad with Chrome tablet?
• Next version of Android to be called Honeycomb?
• Miss yesterday’s $99 Vibrant deal? How about a penny?
• Peppermint Ice review
• 40 Windows apps contain critical bug, says researcher

– Special.

• Rumored Google Tablet Raises Chrome vs. Android Question
  (PC World)
• Facebook introduces 'Places' location-sharing program

– They may have introduced it, but mine still no workie. Says it will be available soon. Seems like maybe they should have taken care of that before they did the announcement.

• Hands-on with Windows Phone 7′s games – CNET (blog)

• Sprint Epic 4G video sit down in NYC
• Rumour: Google Chrome OS Tablet on Verizon in November
• T-Mobile USA plans high-speed Android phone
  (Reuters)
• Verizon eyes live TV app for iPad, other tablets
  (Reuters)
• T-Mobile teases G2 smartphone with speedy HSPA+ support
  (Ben Patterson)
• Ubuntu 10.10 to Get Multitouch
  (Digital Trends)
• Review: Samsung Galaxy S phones do Android proud
  (AP)
• Haiku Project Celebrates 9th Birthday

– Happy Birthday Haiku!!

• Chrome-Powered Tablet and Store May Take on iPad
  (NewsFactor)
• Will Apple redesign iPhone antenna for Verizon? Don’t count on it
  (Ben Patterson)
• T-Mobile Unveils G2 Phone–Sort Of
  (PC World)
• Dell Streak taken down to screws by ifixit
• Networks resist Google TV as Apple switches on
• Backup your Linux machine the smart way
• Verizon to offer FiOS customers live TV for iPads, video-on-demand for Android, BlackBerry, WinMo
• Linux Xorg Critical Security Flaw Silently Patched
• Why You Shouldn't Worry About IPv6 Just Yet
• Google and Verizon Tablet Shipping for Holiday Shopping Season
  (Mashable)
• Reality check: Android 'Trojan terror' is no cause for alarm

– People that would like to see Android fail (ie Apple) are really trying to make a big deal out of this.

• Google and HTC launching Chrome tablet with Verizon?

• BlackBerry Torch Somewhat of a Downer
• Ubuntu 11.04 Codenamed ‘Natty Narwhal’
• Apple releases Snow Leopard Graphics Update 1.0
  (Macworld.com)
• Windows 7 mobile phones will link to Xbox 360 consoles
  (AFP)
• Windows Phone 7 Will Be a Platform for Video Games
  (NewsFactor)
• Apple Eyes Smaller iPad as Tablet Rivals Gear Up
  (NewsFactor)
• Six Reasons Why Flash Isn't Going Away
• Linux Wall Warts Small On Size, Big On Possibilities
• Ex-Apple manager pleads not guilty in kickbacks
  (AP)
• Sprint EPIC 4G: First Impressions
• Linux chief on Android, Apple and App Stores – Wired.co.uk
• Adobe moves further into Google’s orbit – CNET
• N-imal?
• Say what?
• The clock is ticking for iPad competitors – CNET
• Motorola Jordan Android handset for T-Mobile to get down and dirty (and wet)
• Ubuntu 10 to Get Multitouch
  (Digital Trends)
• Xbox Live on Windows Phone 7: First impressions
• IBM Unleashes 256-core Unix Server, Its Biggest Yet
  (PC World)
• Hacker's P2P virus replaces files with sea creature manga

– Seriously?

• Gestures With Multitouch In Ubuntu 10.10
• Shuttleworth unveils touchy Ubuntu to help reignite PC innovation – TechRepublic (blog)
• Adobe CEO: we’ve moved on from Apple and the iPad
• Ubuntu Gets Multitouch Support
• Happy 17th Birthday, Debian!
• AV-Test Certifies Windows 7 Antivirus Solutions
  (PC Magazine)
• Internet Explorer Turns 15
  (Mashable)
• Verizon Customers Eager for iPhone
  (PC World)
• Internet Explorer Turns 15
• Microsoft's Adaptive Touchscreen Keyboard
• Happy 17th Birthday, Debian!
• Adobe CEO on Apple: “We’ve Moved on”
• Ubuntu Linux: I like it, but it doesn’t like me – ZDNet (blog)
• Samsung’s Galaxy Tablet Could Challenge Apple’s iPad
  (NewsFactor)
• Apple’s Paul Shin Devine accused of kickbacks
• Ubuntu Linux to go multi-touch
• It’s time for the baked-in Android UI to die
• Flash 10.1 out of beta, final version available in Android Market

• Samsung Galaxy Tab European firmware reveals device details
• Motorola DROID Pro, World Edition and Tablet all found in Verizon Wireless systems
• Both Verizon Wireless iPhone and next generation iPad about to hit field testing?
• Ubuntu 10.10 – First official multitouch details from Mark Shuttleworth
• New Apple hire confirms iPhone 5 as ‘iWallet’
• Apple manager charged with taking kickbacks
• Ubuntu Linux: I Like It, It Doesn’t Like Me – ZDNet (blog)
• KDE & GNOME cross-desktop development
• Gestures with multitouch in Ubuntu 10.10
• My Thoughts on Oracle v Google – Java World
• GNOME vs KDE: which is right for you?
• * Making the Case for Video-Chat *
• Internet Explorer Turns 15
• Apple Kickback Scheme: Don’t Let This Happen to You
  (PC World)
• WebKit Gives Konqueror a Speed Boost (Past Firefox)
• KDE Shows Its Plasma Tablet Interface
• FreeBSD 8.1 Released, Like, Weeks Ago
• Oracle dumps OpenSolaris

Recently, the cord on my extremely uncool (but functional) pair of headphone have started to bother me. After a near miss on my usual bus, I found myself wandering the isles of our friendly neighborhood Fry’s Electronics. I found myself a nice set of Bluetooth headphones to go with my phone. They work like a charm.

As I was sitting at my computer the other night, I thought that it would be a good idea to get myself a Bluetooth adapter for my computer so I could use my new wireless headset with some of my games, and of course, Skype. Again, I found myself wandering the isles of Fry’s Electronics, and found a nice, cheap little Belkin adapter that would barely be noticeable attached to my computer.

After my purchase, I realized that I was in a great position to do a little head to head comparison of how Bluetooth would work in Windows vs. Linux. My computer dual boots Vista and Ubuntu 10.04.

I started with Vista.

The process was pretty normal, with one little hiccup that I don’t consider a deal breaker. After opening the case, I was informed that the disk didn’t have a Vista driver, and they pointed me to the website. I click a few links, a 200MB+ download, and the driver is in my possession.  Run the Setup.exe file, and it installs all the software that I’d ever need to use the Bluetooth headset. Sure enough, connects first try. No fuss no muss. Other than the driver glitch, not a bad process.

On to Ubuntu.

I was a little nervous about this as I’d never done this before, and there was no mention of anything about Linux in the little dinky book that came with my little Bluetooth adapter. I figured the process might be similar. Find me a nice little driver out on the website, download, install, done. After firing up Ubuntu, I was in for a pleasant surprise. There was already a Bluetooth icon in my upper panel. The first thought that crossed my mind was “that can’t be it.” I was wrong. That was it. I clicked on it and connected to my headset first try. No installs. No software downloads. No setups. It’s just there.

The funny thing is, people say that Linux is hard.

• Apple Manager Arrested In Kickback Scheme
• Apple manager indicted on kickback charges
• Apple manager charged with taking kickbacks
  (Reuters)
• Apple manager indicted on kickback charges
  (AP)
• There Is A Real Chance Microsoft’s Business Will Simply Collapse – The Business Insider
• Desktop Linux: Great for the Environment, Bad for Economy? – Datamation
• Oracle sues Google: Looking for a piece of the mobile pie – ZDNet (blog)
• News: Linux Foundation Chief: Apple’s App Store Business Model Unsustainable – The Mac Observer
• Vodafone Backs Down In Row With Android Users
• Apple manager indicted on kickback charges
  (AP)
• Top 5 Android phones of the summer
• 1979 Apple Graphics Tablet vs. the iPad
• Mobile Apps Security: Apple iOS v. Google Android (PC World)

– Gosh, I wonder who’s gunna win. Shhh, don’t tell anybody that it’s NOT APPLE.

• Assembling Droids For Dollars
  (Investor’s Business Daily)
• Oracle sues Google over Android
  (Reuters)
• Maybe All The iPhone Needs Is More Antennas (PC World)

– Simple solution. Why didn’t Apple think of that?

• Recycling an Android Phone As a Handheld GPS?
• Google releases statement about Java suit, disappointed and ready to defend

• Oracle Kills OpenSolaris, Moves Development Behind Closed Doors
• De Icaza: Sun's Schwartz Pitched Google Lawsuit to Oracle

– Sounds kinda sketchy to me.

• Tablets Have Minimal Impact on Smartphone Sales
  (NewsFactor)
• Microsoft is the big winner in Oracle's suit against Google

– I agree with Preston’s analysis. Microsoft is the clear winner, or is presented with the best chance at capitalizing on this lawsuit. I’m not sure Microsoft is capable of pulling it off though.

• Android Froyo Coming to Droid Incredible on August 18
  (Mashable)
• For Android newbies: 10 questions, answered
  (Ben Patterson)
• Motorola DROID 2 unboxing / impressions
• Room For Rent: iPhone Users Need Not Apply

– Seen this before, but never read the whole thing. Still funny.

• Oracle vs. Google over Java in Android is only the start.

– Time to get away from Java as fast as you can? I’d say it’s way past time. It was time in the 90s.

• The Future of OpenSolaris Revealed

– Bummer.

• iTV rumors have ITV trademark holder preparing for battle?

– This really could be entertaining.

• Oracle, Amazon offer new ways to run Linux from afar
• Hands-on with the Samsung Epic 4G
  (Ben Patterson)
• AT&T bad in all the wrong places
• Oracle, Amazon offer new ways to run Linux from afar
• Oracle vs. Google re. Java IP: let the games begin!
• Getting Ready For Internet Explorer 9
  (PC World)
• Chinese website reports specs for HTC Bee, Lexikon, Spark
• PhoneTransact releases Credit Card Reader for iPhone
  (Macworld.com)
• Oracle Sues Google Over Java in Android Devices
  (Digital Trends)