Gizmodo Australia » web

Download 100 Free Google Chrome Artist Themes

Mark Wilson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:20:00 +0000

If you’re a Google Chrome user, you may appreciate new Artist Themes — skins for Chrome by various famous fashion labels and designers.

While you won’t see a majority of the art (because, you know, you’re actually looking at webpages), it’s reassuring just to know it’s there, lurking and judging. [Google via the newsmarket]

Mobile Web Finally Easy Enough For Old People, Females, Teens

Jason Chen — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Nielsen’s mobile web statistics show that, from July 2008 to July 2009, the demographic groups of 65+, female and 13-17 showed the most usage growth. The least? 18-24 year olds, who are all up in this mobile web already.

Also equally interesting: we have more male readers than the NFL, the NBA or even MAXIM. More women look at softcore boobies than look at gadgets! [Nielsen]

Google Chrome’s Getting Hardware-Accelerated 3D Graphics Powers

Matt Buchanan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:29:28 +0000

Google’s building their O3D plug-in—that lets browsers use hardware-accelerated 3D graphics—into Chrome. The idea behind O3D is that with hardware graphics acceleration, it’s possible for web apps to get even more intensive and sophisticated, closer to native apps—like games. Which makes Chrome OS’s web app-only approach look even more feasible. [Cnet]

Google Wave Going (Semi)Public On September 30th

John Herrman — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:36:20 +0000

In May, the world was SHOCKED to find out that Google was pregnant, again, with what could best be described as a genetically modified inter-species lovespawn between Gmail, Google Docs, Twitter and AIM. Google called it “Wave;” Matt called it “frothy;” whatever it is, it’ll become available to about 100,000 interested users come September, and has started rolling out to developers, API in tow, already. [Google via CNET]

Will We See Google Chrome OS In The Mobile Space?

Adrian Covert — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:40:00 +0000

At today’s Mobilebeat 2009 Conference, Google VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra spoke about mobile platforms and what enables success. Interestingly enough, Gundotra quickly mentioned web app development as the future of successful mobile platforms. Does he mean Chrome OS?

Gundotra mostly reiterated most of what we already know. Google believes the future of the computers lies in the browser, with apps coded according to web standards and data existing in the cloud. However, what stood out as interesting was that Gundotra, who isn’t directly part of the Android team, referenced all this in the same breath as the rapid evolution of mobile browsers and mobile data plans. While he never explicitly referenced Chrome OS, it seemed evident that the upcoming, browser-based platform was in his head as he spoke.

He also spoke on how browsers and web standards are advancing so quick, that web apps will be more powerful than people realise.

“Steve Jobs had it right when he said build for the web. But timing was an issue.”

He also praised Apple for making unlimited data plans mandatory for the iPhone, and said that going forward, it will be essential for the mobile space.

We know Google said there would be some overlap between Chrome OS and Android, but exactly how much overlap are we talking here? Is Chrome OS going to pop up on our phones? [Chrome OS]

Microsoft Has A Counter To Chrome OS On Monday?

Jason Chen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:24:47 +0000

Scoble hints at Microsoft announcing something along the lines of the Google Chrome OS next Monday, but he can’t give any more details since he’s under embargo. [Friendfeed via i4u]

Wolfram Alpha Is Actually a Frustrated Stand-Up Comedian

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:20:00 +0000

Yesterday we got some funny answers from Wolfram Alpha, the search engine that promised to enlighten us. Today, this catalog of silly answers uncovers its true nature as a failed stand-up comedian and pop culture expert.

It has a little thing for everyone: Skynet, HAL, African vs European swallows, the meaning of life, Bob Dylan, love and hate, and even programming jokes. I wonder how many more nutty Easter Eggs the thing is hiding. [Thanks readers]

New CrunchPad Prototype Photos and Video

Andi Wang — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:27:01 +0000

Another prototype of the CrunchPad, Michael Arrington’s web tablet, has been revealed.

Superfically, not much has changed from the previous prototype, except the updated CrunchPad now has an aluminium case and is 18mm thinner. The software has been updated too—as you can see in the video below—and boots directly into its Linux/Webkit-based browser. As for when you can get your hands on one of these, TechCrunch is currently working with partners to bring the $US300 web tablet to the market. [TechCrunch]

The Machine That Changed the World

Jesus Diaz — Sat, 30 May 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Perhaps more than anything else previously invented, this pretty black box changed the world of communications, entertainment, commerce, scientific research, and even war forever. In fact, the world as we know it today would have never existed without it.

It happened less than two decades ago, when Tim Berners-Lee released version 0.1 of his web server—CERN HTTPd. June 1991 was the month. A Next Cube workstation was the box. The heir of Hypercard was put online for the first time on August 6, 1991. It will continue to shape the world for decades to come. [Flickr—Thanks Rick]

RunPee Will Tell You When to Leave to Pee in Movies

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Confession: After a day of coffee and a huge XXL Coke, and fighting my bladder for two hours, I had to run to pee during Star Trek. I wish I knew about RunPee then.

RunPee is a movie review site.

However, it won’t tell you about how bad Terminator Salvation is. It won’t tell you about how bad the Terminator Salvation plot is. Or about how bad is the script it. It won’t tell you about its crappy editing or its awful direction or the stupid John Connor trying to pull a Batman while shouting at everyone and everything.

No. RunPee will tell you what are the best parts to leave the movie for a few minutes, so you can run to the loo. Unfortunately,the site is down now, but I’ll review Terminator Salvation for them here, so they can put it online later:

Stay at home and poop for the duration of the movie. You will end with the same result, and a much satisfying experience. [Runpee via A Welsh View via The Daily What—Thanks Rebecca]