Windows only: Free application Iron is a slightly modified version of the Chromium source of Google Chrome that removes components of Chrome that report your usage habits to Google. In practice, that means it removes your unique user ID, doesn’t send user-specific info to Google, skips crash reporting, and doesn’t check with Google for updates. Some features—like crash reporting and update checks—are built into most browsers anyway, but if you’re already squeamish with the amount of your information Google already has on its servers, the extra layer of privacy Iron offers might be up your alley. The download site and installer are in German (here’s a translation), but the app runs in English.
Iron [via Download Squad]Whether you prefer managing your contacts outside Gmail or you don’t use Gmail but still want to use Google Contacts to manage your Reader or Docs contacts, try the standalone Google Contacts page. The URL isn’t type-in friendly, but it deserves a bookmark if you need to do contact management outside of Gmail. [Google Operating System]
Windows/Mac/Linux: Open-source MP3 firmware Rockbox has released its first major update in three years, adding support and stability for more MP3 players and playback of more file types. Rockbox has long been the best tool to breath new life into an aging MP3 player, from first through 5.5 generation iPods to iRiver, Sandisk, and Archos players (see all the supported players here). Rockbox features include Last.fm support, album art, games, video playback, and tons more. Better yet, the new release comes with a streamlined installation tool called RockboxUtility that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux and makes installation simple. With the latest release, Rockbox easily earns its spot as one of the 20 best iPod utilities. If you’re a Rockbox user, share your favourite features in the comments. Rockbox [via OStatic]
Windows Mobile only: Skyfire, a browser for Windows Mobile that supports Flash, Ajax, and many media formats, has been released for public beta downloads with an upgraded 0.8 version. The biggest interface change is a Chrome-like universal address bar, which acts as search input when non-URL text is entered, but Skyfire also added one-click SMS sharing, which auto-shrinks URLs for text message space. Our sibling site Gizmodo points out that Skyfire out-races Safari and Opera’s mobile versions on the web, but mostly because Skyfire’s servers are pre-optimizing common pages. Skyfire is a free download for Windows Mobile phones only. Skyfire [via TechCrunch]
Bookmark-syncing application Foxmarks has updated their site to support easy access to your bookmarks from your iPhone, iPod touch, or other mobile device. Last week we highlighted O-Marks, an native iPhone application that syncs bookmarks to your iPhone. O-Marks requires you to access those bookmarks outside your browser, though, which isn’t ideal, and it seems like a bit of an overkill for something as simple as bookmarks. With the Foxmarks update, just point your mobile browser to my.foxmarks.com, and it’ll serve up the mobile interface of your bookmarks complete with search. It’s fast and easy to use, but I’d throw in a vote for opening links in new windows so you can switch back to it more easily. A direct bookmark sync with mobile Safari would be ideal, but the mobile version of Foxmarks is a close second. Don’t have an iPhone? The Foxmarks update includes a similar small screen interface for your mobile device, too. My Foxmarks
Funny how insomnia works—when it’s time to go to bed, you’re wide awake, but at work the next day, you can barely keep your eyes open. If you’re in sleep debt but need to keep alert at the office, wikiHow offers a few clever ways to help stay awake at work, like using bright light, stimulating smells, acupressure, a power nap, and high-energy music. See also our top 10 ways to sleep smarter and better.
Rososo, a free feed reader, takes a backwards track from the majority of RSS-checking tools. The layout is ultra-minimal (and quick-loading), and you add sites by merely typing in their URL or feed address. If they’ve updated, they show up on your Rososo page—if they haven’t since last you checked, they don’t. There’s no content or even post stubs, just links to check out the sites themselves. Rososo might find use among those advanced users with slow connections or checking on sites only occasionally updated, but it could serve as a “My First Feed Reader” for anyone you’re trying to introduce to RSS. Rososo is free to test; saving bookmarks requries a free sign-up. Rososo [via Zen Habits]
If you’re stumped trying to find a Windows driver for your hardware (and you didn’t back it up when it last worked), try Nodevice has a database of more than 30,000 drivers, and roughly 20,000 each of manual files and DLL files. Looking for something Vista-specific? Check out previously mentioned RadarSync. [via]
