No software update is quite so sweet as one that brings improved performance, and that’s exactly what Raspberry Pi users can expect from the latest Debian-based OS known as Raspbian. Optimized specifically for the $35 computer, Raspbian introduces more comprehensive support for floating point operations, and with that, a faster web browsing experience. The latest release also brings improvements to the firmware, kernel and applications, and is recommended as the distribution most appropriate for general users. An SD card image of Raspbian is now available for download, so do yourself a favor and snag it today.

SOURCE via Raspberry

Bummed that Instagram wasn’t suited for your shiny new Nexus 7? Well friends, those sorrows are about to come to an end. The photo application has been updated to accommodate the Jelly Bean slate with version 1.1.7. While the software’s primary function is viewing the post-filter photography, you’ll be able to employ the front-facing shooter for self-portraits and the like. Also included in the update, the option of posting your tablet and smartphone creations to Flickr via the app’s share menu. Hit the source link to snag the current version for your 7-inch slate.

SOURCE via Google

We’ve long since been fans of Google’s My Tracks app — perhaps the only issue is the Android exclusivity, at least for those using Windows Phone, iOS or BlackBerry. Of course, Columbia’s GPSPal accomplishes some of the same tasks, but even it will need a major overhaul to compete with the feature set in My Tracks 2.0. Available now for no charge in the Play Store, the new route tracker adds the ability to play back your tours, runs, etc. on Google Earth for Android. Moreover, it now aggregates statistics over time to show trends in performance, and we’re told that the user interface is “simpler and faster.” Those who weren’t so keen on the prior build’s charting system may also dig the newfangled charts / stats tables, which are said to be “easier to read.” So, how’s about that midnight run in Crystal Lake?

SOURCE via Google

Android 4.1.1 just made itself available on the AOSP servers yesterday, and evidently it’s wasting no time in heading towards the world’s first Jelly Bean tablet. The ASUS-built Nexus 7 is now receiving the update — a 12.6MB download that boosts the version number to 4.1.1. Our in-house unit isn’t pulling down the new edition just yet (nor is our Galaxy Nexus), so it seems to be one of Google’s typical phased releases. At any rate, Android Central is reporting that the code “improves performance and responsiveness system wide,” while also adding Google Wallet to your app library.

SOURCE via Google

Apple has been arguably more generous when it comes to software sneak peeks than it has been with hardware, but while dues-paying developers are given the go-ahead to download operating systems ahead of their release, consumers have had to sit tight until after each iteration hits GM status. Some internet entrepreneurs have taken it upon themselves to game Apple’s system, however, which until recently appeared to have been loosely guarded, with third parties selling beta access for years without intervention. iOS 6 is shaping up to be the end of the line — Apple has reportedly begun targeting businesses selling early access, citing copyright infringement and contacting hosting providers to shut down sales sites. The operations can be quite profitable, with income approaching six figures for iOS 6 alone, so it’s likely that we’ll see businesses open up shop under different domains in an attempt to continue to collect. Still, if you’re running such an operation of your own, it may be worth your while to peruse Apple’s non-disclosure agreement in full — a site shut down could be but the beginning of the company’s actions to control OS releases, and prevent third parties from illegally capitalizing on Cupertino’s creations.

SOURCE via Mac Stories

Google has been talking up the prospects of integrating WebRTC into Chrome for the past several months. It’s now ready to put theory into practice with a fresh beta of the web browser. The upgrade uses WebRTC to let typical microphones and webcams talk to the browser without using a plugin like Flash or something otherwise so very 2011. Just to embrace this future of direct hardware support ever the more tightly, Google is also building in a gamepad programming interface that lets controllers tap into Chrome without having to rely on Native Client’s magic. There’s more waiting at the source link, including more direct tie-ins with Cloud Print, so the more adventurous among us can get to chatting (and playing) right away.

SOURCE via Google

Almost without fail, BitTorrent downloads have had to spread through a dedicated client, whether it’s on the desktop or a router. Thankfully, BitTorrent Torque has just come in alpha form to liberate the peer download service from its software chains. All that’s needed now is a web browser that can parse a JavaScript app. Going the new route gives some freedom to enable sharing that hasn’t always been practical: among the tricks in the company’s Torque Labs are drag-and-drop sharing, conversion of torrents into traditional downloads and easing the burden on a server for video streaming. The alpha stage leaves Torque with awhile to go before it’s ready for the limelight, but experimenters can hit the source link to start tinkering with distributed file sharing today.

SOURCE via Torque Bittorrent

Mozilla’s Thunderbird mail client just hasn’t enjoyed the same level of stardom as its Firefox cousin. Their developer must be feeling this discrepancy more than most, as the company has confirmed plans to take the organization out of active Thunderbird development. The shift is officially being spun as an adaptation that lets the Foundation center its energy on Firefox OS and the usual browser plans, but when Mozilla proper will only be handling bug fixes and security updates for a client that’s “not a priority,” we’d say it’s putting Thunderbird on ice. Accordingly, leaked details from TechCrunch show Mozilla moving some of the team out of the project at some point; any new features will have to come from the community, which suggests the future upgrade schedule will be more than a bit unpredictable. The writing is on the wall soon enough that existing owners could have food for thought well before a final strategy is due in early September.

SOURCE via TechCrunch

Have you managed to get your hands on Nikon’s elusive D4 full-frame DSLR? It should be smooth sailing from here, with the occasional firmware update being your only critical acquisition going forward. D4 firmware 1.02 brings a handful of minor fixes, but if you’re in need of any of the enhancements listed below, it’s surely a must have:

• Format memory card can now be added to My Menu.
• Gamut for Adobe RGB images displayed in the camera’s monitor has now been changed. This enables more vivid display of images.
• The stability of network connections when the FTP upload option is selected has been increased.
• When recording movies using a lens with an aperture ring in [P] or [S] exposure mode, and Aperture ring selected for Custom Setting f10: Customize command dials>Aperture setting, the minimum aperture was applied. This issue has been resolved.
• When a still image captured during movie recording with 1920 ×1080; 30 fps; crop, 1920 × 1080; 25 fps; crop, or 1920 × 1080; 24 fps; crop selected for Movie settings>Frame size/frame rate and Live frame grab selected for Custom Setting g4: Assign shutter button was displayed in Capture NX 2 or ViewNX 2, the position of the focus point displayed differed from actual recording position. This issue has been resolved.
• An issue that caused the camera to freeze when attempting to format a memory card (setup menu > Format memory card) while the camera was connected to a network in HTTP server mode has been resolved.

OS X and Windows users alike can hit up the source link below to get their download on.

SOURCE via Nikon

Microsoft has been devoting most of its OS update attention this year to Windows 8, not its suit-wearing Windows Server 2012 counterpart. Some of the mystery has been cleared up through word of a greatly simplified server OS lineup. Just four versions of Windows Server will sit in IT backrooms versus the whopping 12 from Server 2008 R2, with an emphasis on making the feature slope a little gentler. The biggest improvement is the near-identical feature set of Windows Server 2012 Standard compared to its Datacenter equivalent: the only advantage of Datacenter is the jump to unlimited virtual machines, giving smaller businesses a way to save some cash. Foundation and Essentials will cover the basics for these outfits if just 15 or 25 very real machines need to hop onboard. The base prices of $425 to $4,809 per copy for all but the OEM-only Foundation still make it doubtful that we’ll be loading Server 2012 on a PC tucked into a closet at home, but it’s evident between this and the streamlined Windows 8 selection that Microsoft wants to avoid the flood of versions that confused buyers during the Windows Vista and 7 days.

SOURCE via CNET