The obvious idea behind this move is Google’s interest in capturing those advertising revenues generated by Mozilla’s 25 percent browser market share and users who are using the box for Google searches. Some rumors suggest that the price for Firefox went up as Microsoft was bidding for the space as well and Google certainly has no interest to handing those search revenues to Bing.

The problem, of course, is Firefox is a rival for Chrome is this respect as it is cheaper for Google to harvest search revenues through Chrome than pay Mozilla. As long as Mozilla has substantial market share that makes economic sense for Google, there is no reason to believe why Google would be dropping Mozilla. However, Chrome developer Peter Kasting does not quite agree and complained that people do not understand why Google is developing Chrome and why Google is supporting Firefox. According to Kasting, Chrome is much more Google’s donation to the world, a welfare project if you will, than a tool that generates revenues.

Kasting argues that “the primary goal of Chrome is to make the web advance as much and as quickly as possible. That’s it. It’s completely irrelevant to this goal whether Chrome actually gains tons of users or whether instead the web advances because the other browser vendors step up their game and produce far better browsers. Either way the web gets better. Job done. The end.”

To continue that thought, Mozilla also aims to make the web better. And since Chrome “cannot be all things to all people”, Google needs to fund Mozilla as Firefox “is an important product because it can be a different product with different design decisions and serve different users well.” Kasting concludes his thoughts with the notion that “Google succeeds (and makes money) when the web succeeds and people use it more to do everything they need to do.” One may wonder where all the advertising business fits into this argument, as Chrome is actually tied directly to advertising via its instant-search engine supported via the location bar.

For some perspective, there is a balancing post from Firefox product manager Asa Dotzler, who has not been especially kind to Google’s intention to build walls around its interests in the web in the past. According to Dotzler, the deal between Mozilla and Google has, of course, to do with selling ads: “This is Google’s business,” he writes. “They sell ads alongside ‘free’ content, and they buy additional traffic to make those ads more valuable.” Contrary to Kasting’s web welfare claims to make the web better, Dotzler says that “Google is not a philanthropist ‘donating’ money to Mozilla or any other traffic acquisition partner.”

In the greater view, the deal makes sense for both parties and Mozilla has clearly come out on top, but the Firefox guys have a rough year ahead to make the money work. Despite Kasting’s thoughts that Mozilla is simply an extension of Google’s intent to make the web better, there may be more interest for Google to keep Mozilla alive and well down the road. The company is already under fire for unfair monopolization of web apps and advertising and the last thing Google needs is an antitrust suit that it killed Firefox in the browser race. Funding it with $1 billion may help avoid such a suit.

DashCommand for Windows, Android and iOS has been around for a while, but the most recent update for the iPhone allows you to view all the OBD-II-sourced data directly on your Pioneer AppRadio.

As we’ve said before, the real draw of the AppRadio isn’t just its 6.1-inch, capacitive multi-touch screen, it’s the ability for third parties to integrate their apps into the display. In the case of DashCommand, you can port over 229 different data points through your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch using an OBDII connector. A maximum of 27 customizable gauges show you everything from coolant temps to check engine lights, and using the built-in accelerometer and GPS systems, you can also display an inclinometer, G-forces and even race track mapping. Get all the details in at DashCommand’s site.

Phylo is the next scientific video game that uses the collective brainpower of video gamers. Its goal is to demystify DNA secrets in the hope to find cures for diseases like epilepsy and support science to better understand Alzheimer’s and diabetes.

Recently released as a mobile app aimed specifically at tablet users, the game targets casual gamers with the task to arrange colored blocks that represent sequences of human DNA. Similarities in those sequences could potentially provide new insight into certain diseases. Since the launch of the game in November 2010, it has attracted more than 17,000 registered users, who delivered more than 350,000 solutions to “sequence alignment problems.”

“Phylo has contributed to improving our understanding of the regulation of 521 genes involved in a variety of diseases,” said Jérôme Waldispuhl of the McGill School of Computer Science. “It also confirms that difficult computational problems can be embedded in a casual game that can easily be played by people without any scientific training.” According to the scientist, the game highlights “a synergy of humans and machines that helps to solve one of the most fundamental biological problems.”

Waldispuhl said that the human factor in genome analysis enables the research team to achieve “accuracy” in a mountain of messy data. While sequences have already been pre-aligned by computers, humans are required solve the problem of sequences that are still misaligned. “Our goal is to identify these parts and transform the task of aligning them into a puzzle people will want to sort out,” Waldispuhl explained.

Give it a try here: Phylo is available as a desktop and mobile version.

Unnamed industry sources claim that Apple’s rumored iOS-dedicated HDTV will be called “iTV” and will likely launch in the second or third quarter of 2012. Apple’s supply chain will reportedly start preparing materials for the HDTV in the first quarter.

Sources also confirm that it will indeed be an HDTV, and not a set-top box like Apple’s current Apple TV device. The iTV will measure 32- and 37-inches, and will contain ARM-based chips from Samsung that went into production back in November 2011 — possibly the A5 which powers the iPhone 4S and iPad 2. Sharp has reportedly signed on to produce the actual display for the iTV products.

As for Apple’s current Apple TV set-top form factor, sources claim that the fruity company will launch a second-generation version in 2012. As seen on Amazon, the latest version just received a small price cut, dropping from $99 USD down to $94.99 USD.

Just last week Apple execs were reportedly meeting with media execs at several large companies to stream content onto the rumored Siri-powered HDTV. Apple essentially wants users to be able to start a movie or TV episode on one Apple device and continue on with another. The talks also reportedly outline ways Siri and/or iOS could recognize users across multiple devices: phones, tablets and TVs.

Confirmation of the iTV project surfaced back in October following a comment made by Steve Jobs in his biography. An unnamed Apple employee claims that Jobs’ “I’ve finally cracked it” comment referred to controlling devices like an HDTV using “the simplest user interface you could imagine,” or rather, the voice control technology behind Siri. This would even include motion control similar to the way users can now navigate through Microsoft’s Xbox.

Will Apple’s iTV be a giant iPod Touch, but without the touch-based interaction? Will users have the ability to install apps like Angry Birds and Shadowgun, and control their games using an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. It will be interesting to see what Apple produces.

SOURCE via DigiTimes

Thunderbolt could become much more available in April as Intel is apparently working with first-tier vendors to integrate the interface in their systems.

Digitimes reports that Thunderbolt-supported motherboards, notebooks and desktop PCs are on their way and are being prepared for an early Q2 launch.

Initially, Thunderbolt carried a cost of more than $20 per device and is prohibitively expensive for most computer systems. The cost may drop in the second half of the year as the technology is adapted on a much broader range, but Intel will have to actively support and drive the technology into the market to make it a success.

Digitimes said that Sony will pick up Thunderbolt and Asustek Computer will, at least, put the technology into its high-end systems. Gigabyte will be launching a Thunderbolt motherboard in April. Intel confirmed in September that Acer and Asustek Computer will introduce Thunderbolt computers in 2012 to begin the breakaway of the interface as an Apple-exclusive technology.

Microsoft just received a patent that closely defines the Xbox 360 as a motion picture entertainment center and much more than just a game console.

The patent, which was filed in January 2007, barely two months after the release of the competing PlayStation 3, Microsoft laid out “an integrated gaming and media experience” that enables users to record media via a “digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component.”

The Xbox 360 has supported DVR functions via the Media Remote for some time, However, the record feature only supports content recording to a DVR that is installed by a TV service provider. This patent appears to be a fully integrated DVR experience that records content directly to the Xbox 360 and supports recording during gameplay or video watching. When Microsoft limited its DVR feature for the game console, it stated that it requires the support of an actual DVR as the game console itself is frequently turned off. However the patent explicitly states that this DVR feature also applies when “the gaming console is turned off.”

A fully functional DVR are a logical step for game consoles as they are becoming entertainment devices and have to deliver many more functions than just game play and video rental.

SOURCE via USPTO

The game of Monopoly has gained many a fanfare across the world, simply for the intriguing journey to one’s riches, artificially though it may be. Hence, like most games, this one made its presence felt in the life of the really rich folks by rearing itself in luxurious options such as we saw in the Zontik games edition and Sidney Mobell set. Now Pemberton & Milner, where Ms. Elisabeth Moore is one of the top brass, has managed to create the most expensive Monopoly gaming set, with a price tag of £100,000 ($156,714). Crafted out of exotic leather and silver, this game set shall put some already rich folks into the dream world of gaining wealth.

Partnering with distinguished jewelers like Garrad, this special edition of the Monopoly game will see some customized changes to its set up. The main of course being, the change in names of different destinations, to that of what one would normally associate with the British Military and security forces such as the Royal Navy. Though rules largely remain similar, using real life military based names will certainly seem to add a touch of change, other than the novelty used in the accessories set. Equipment used will be more in the shape of military based specialties, and destination such as the military mess and associated fines come into the picture should a player falter. Even the station heads are now military unit heads!

Talking of the other novelty features of the board game, the equipment shall be available in 2 main versions; Deluxe and ultra-luxe versions. While the deluxe uses hand printed leather and silver equipment, put together partly by machine, the ultra-luxe version will have been created entirely out of hand. Also, this project will have a charitable cause associated with the sale of the game set. Once sold off, the proceeds go to 3 army charities, namely the Royal Marines Charity, ABF soldiers’ charity, and the RAF Benevolent charity. The reason being cited, is the long indirect association of Ms. Moore with the British security forces, in form of her long term boyfriend, her father, and her brother. Well, as for us, we are just waiting for the truly rich guys to get their hands on this and start fantasy playing one of the most popular money board games ever. Probably, Larry Ellison would buy one considering he has a habit of buying properties in true monopoly style.