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Jolla open-sources the browser for its Sailfish OS-powered smartphone

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 11:32 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Mobile

Jolla4 730x547 Jolla open sources the browser for its Sailfish OS powered smartphone

Founded by a group of ex-Nokia employees who believed that MeeGo deserved a second chance, Jolla is the first smartphone to offer a fresh take on the forgotten platform, which is now called Sailfish OS. And today, the company behind the platform has announced that it’s opening its first internal app project to the development community.

From today, the code for the Sailfish Browser can be acquired through GitHub, and anyone is invited to actively contribute to fixes and enhancements for the browser.

Back in December, we reported that the Jolla smartphone was finally going on sale across Europe via a dedicated online store on Jolla’s website. The bundled Sailfish browser is built upon Mozilla’s open source Gecko browser engine, and Jolla co-founder Stefano Mosconi says that one of its objectives in open sourcing its browser is to get official support from Mozilla.

Meanwhile, check out our hands-on with the first Jolla smartphone.

➤ Github | Sailfish Browser

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Microsoft, Google and Twitter mark Safer Internet Day with privacy awareness initiatives

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 11:10 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Google, Insider

internet 520x245 Microsoft, Google and Twitter mark Safer Internet Day with privacy awareness initiatives

Today is Safer Internet Day and three of the biggest names on the Web have announced campaigns to raise awareness of privacy issues. Microsoft is marking the occasion by going back to basics and asking people to “Do 1 Thing,” Twitter is working with anti-bullying charities and offering free advertising services to selected non-profit organizations, while Google is also providing privacy tips.

Microsoft, which has been active on Safer Internet Day since its inception in 2010 and runs other privacy awareness initiatives, has introduced a new website to provide easy tips to the less tech-savvy folks out there. This advice itself is fairly elementary — such as adding a lockscreen password to devices, enabling automatic Windows updates and being careful when using unprotected WiFi, and more — while visitors are encouraged to share one tip or pledge to help raise awareness and advise others.

sid 730x416 Microsoft, Google and Twitter mark Safer Internet Day with privacy awareness initiatives

Comparing its user surveys conducted over the past two years, Microsoft says “it’s clear” that people aren’t being more cautious at protecting their data, which is why it hopes that focusing on a single tip this year will help. The firm is also planning to a donation to TechSoup Global, a nonprofit that uses technology to solve problems worldwide.

Microsoft is hoping to gain more support and visibility via social media channels — specifically a #Do1thing Twitter hashtag.

Unlike Microsoft, Twitter is using its visibility as a platform to help non-profits rather than targeting users directly.

The microblogging company, which has come under-fire from those who believe it could do to prevent bullying on its service, says partnerships with the likes of the UK Safer Internet Centre and Anti-Bullying Pro have provided ”invaluable feedback [to] help us build our platform with safety at its core”.

“We are also supporting Safer Internet Day by providing pro bono Twitter advertising to selected charities and non-profit organisations. This will help organizers of Safer Internet Day to reach new audiences by using Twitter’s promoted products,” the company said in a blog post.

Twitter’s initiatives are UK-based, and the company may unveil more programs during US business hours later today.

As you might expect, Google is also taking part in Safer Internet Day, though its participation is quieter than the other two. Like Microsoft, it is providing basic tips for Internet users on its Good To Know Web safety site.

Headline image via PureSolution

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Sony sells its waterproof mp3 player inside a bottle of water

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 10:50 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Shareables

What does a company do to convince potential customers that its product is genuinely waterproof? Well, aside from saying so on the packaging, it can sell the product already immersed inside a bottle of water.

Though the device itself was launched a while ago, Sony turned to Auckland-based ad agency DraftFCB to help market the product in New Zealand. And so they came up with the Bottled Walkman, which is sold from vending machines in public places such as gyms. Check out the demo video for yourself.

Don’t miss: This crowdsourced RoboCop remake is utterly bonkers

And: Waterproof iPods and surf-friendly smartphones are just the beginning

➤ Vending Times – [H/T PSFK]

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Viber CEO pours cold water on a report that it’s in talks to be acquired by an Asian IM company

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 10:37 am
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web

viber Viber CEO pours cold water on a report that its in talks to be acquired by an Asian IM companyA report surfaced today saying that Internet telephony company Viber was in talks with a “leading” Asian IM company for an acquisition to the tune of $400 million — which hinted at companies including China’s Tencent, which owns WeChat, or Japanese company Line.

However, Viber CEO Talmon Marco says he has “no knowledge of any of the items mentioned in the story,” in a statement issued to us by the company.

With its more than 200 million registered users, and revenue stream via selling stickers and international calling credit, it’s easy to see why Viber would appeal to Asian IM companies — considering what messaging apps could add on to their existing services with a call infrastructure. An acquisition could pay off for Viber too, given that the market is arguably saturated with plenty of VoIP calling services and Skype as the main stalwart in the industry.

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GitHub wants schools to collaborate on code

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 10:15 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

GHUB GitHub wants schools to collaborate on codeGitHub is encouraging all the schools of the world to jump on board its coding community platform.

The new Education portal on GitHub is designed to encourage students, teachers, and educational establishments to collaborate around code. “We want to help the next generation of developers build the future,” the organization said in a blog post.

Though GitHub has been offering discounts to educational establishments for a while already – it already counts 1,200 classrooms and 70,000 students as signed-up users – this now makes things official. Schools can add and verify themselves now, and receive free Micro accounts, free GitHub organization accounts for use in the classroom, and a 25% discount on all other use-cases.

➤ Education | GitHub

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