open sourcery

What To Expect From Google Android (And What We’re Hoping For)

2:00AM Kevin Purdy | A lot of hopes and open-source dreams are riding on a plucky little phone platform called Android, and its public debut on a real-live phone happens Tuesday. Those of us at Lifehacker HQ who didn’t spring for an iPhone, and even some who did, are eager to see how it performs and, more importantly, what kind of useful apps will soon appear for the open Android. That’s not to say we (and many other bloggers) don’t have our reservations and lingering questions. We’ve put together a guide to get you up to speed on the Android platform and the first phone that runs it, along with what we expect, or just hope, to see in Android’s very near future. More »

Make Your Linux Desktop More Productive

2:00AM Kevin Purdy | Apple has convinced millions that they can make the switch from Windows to OS X, but those curious about Linux have to see for themselves if they can work or play on a free desktop. The short answer is that, for most halfway tech-savvy people who aren’t hardcore gamers, yes, you can. There are positively addictive productivity apps available for Linux, along with tools to make switching between Linux and other systems easy, or just running Windows programs themselves if you need to. Today we’re detailing a Linux desktop that helps you move quickly, work with Windows, and just get things done; read on for a few suggestions on setting it up. More »

Beta Browser Speed Tests: Which Is Fastest?

1:55AM Kevin Purdy | Google’s new Chrome web browser beta is getting a lot of attention for its slick looks, helpful features, and performance, but how does it rank against the early releases of more established browsers? We’ve previously put the major browser releases to the speed test, but today we’re measuring Chrome against the second beta of Internet Explorer 8, as well as the beta of Firefox 3’s next iteration, 3.1. We tested tomorrow’s browsers on startup and page-loading times, JavaScript and CSS performance, and, perhaps most importantly to the average user, memory use on launch and with lots of content loaded. Read on to get the scoop on which bleeding-edge beta has the edge in the browser time trials. More »

Operate Your Computer with Wii Controllers

2:00AM Kevin Purdy | Nintendo doesn’t exactly advertise it, but the remotes for the Wii gaming console—including the balance board that comes with Wii Fit—have Bluetooth capabilities. That means you can connect your Wii peripherals to your computer to operate the media centre hooked up to your TV, play emulated games with a Nunchuk, Classic Controller, or even a Balance Board, and pretty much have them do anything you can do with a keyboard. Let’s walk through linking up your Wii peripherals and putting them in control of your Mac, PC, or Linux box. More »

Back Up and Sync Your Mobile Phone with BitPim

2:00AM Kevin Purdy | Those of us who have forgone a fancy BlackBerry, Treo, or iPhone know a standard mobile phone is probably the most non-interactive, un-tweakable device in the gadget stable. But for many phones, there’s a way around overpriced cables, intentionally weak Bluetooth software, and lack of good syncing software. The multi-tool of phone data, BitPim, is a free, open-source, cross-platform solution that can back up all or most of your phone’s data, put your home-baked ringtones on your phone for free, and sync calendars and contacts between your apps and your vanilla phone. Let’s take a look at how to get started with BitPim on any system and make the most of the device you take everywhere. More »

Forget the iPhone–The iPod Touch is Good Enough

2:00AM Kevin Purdy | Back in June 2007, I couldn’t convince my wife that checking my email in grocery lines was worth $US1,320—the cost of an original iPhone and one year of the cheapest plan. These days, the trend-setting phone costs even more money over its life, and it’s more than a little restrictive and even a bit buggy. So I’m amazed at how little love the iPod touch gets. It’s a slimmer iPhone with almost all its features, it requires no contract, and when you can’t get a Wi-Fi signal, your plain, humble mobile phone can step up to take its place. Here’s why anyone considering the iPhone should opt for its oft-ignored sibling—the iPod touch—instead. Photo by sarchi. More »

Give Tech Support or Grab Files Remotely on any System

2:00AM Kevin Purdy | Whether you’re missing a crucial file at work or home, or you just need to tweak one little setting to get Mom’s email working again, having remote control of another desktop can be seriously handy. But not everybody can walk the less-tech-inclined through installing a VNC server and opening up their router ports, or have the time to create their own SingleClick tech support tool (cool as it may be). Today, we’re looking at the best solutions for getting into a computer remotely, whether you’re helping out Uncle Bif, grabbing files from home, or controlling your media server from the lounger. Photo by miguelb. More »