Saturday, January 9, 2010

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While almost all browsers today come with a speed dial function, it’s Google Chrome that has been missing it. Firefox too didn’t have it but plugins made it a reality. The speed dial feature in short allows you to access your most favourite sites in a start page. Bookmarks can do that but access to them is still a click or two away. 

So far, Chrome didn’t have extensions but we’re glad to inform you that those days are over. Assuming that you have Chrome updated to its latest version, head over to Chrome’s Extension gallery – (https://chrome.google.com/extensions). You’ll find many there but look specifically for the Speed Dial extension. Clicking on it will start the download and installation. 



Configuration Page
Opening the configuration window for Speed Dial

 Once the extension gets installed, click the Speed Dial icon in the address bar when you’re on a page you want to add to it. Click on Add Current Page. Open a new tab and you’ll see the Speed Dial window. To change the order of the bookmarks, click and drag the bookmarks around from one slot to another.


Speed Dial
The speed dial page


You’ll also notice that the Speed Dial icon has some resemblance to AVG’s icon. Click on the icon again, click Open Page and you’ll reach the configuration page for the extension. Once you’re there, you can easily set the number of speed dial links. Click on the dropdown to set it.

Setting the number of speed dial bookmarks you want
Setting the number of speed dial bookmarks you want



 

Themes
Setting themes and wallpapers for your speed dial

If the background is too boring, you can set colours or even a wallpaper like you would for your desktop. For some unknown reason, Chrome only lets you set images from the web as your wallpaper. So, if you have a wallpaper available locally, upload it and then link it to it.

You also have the option of displaying the other controls such as the search bar, bookmarks and the recently accessed pages. When you’re done, click on Save and Close.


Options
Turning on and off components on your speed dial page

 If you’re like us, you’ll soon be lining in your favourite sites for news, reviews, gaming, streaming in a very orderly manner.

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Intel Corporation has launched a beta version of its app store -- the Intel AppUp center -- for netbook computers. The first apps are now available for free download or purchase by visiting www.intelappup.com.
Four other Intel industry partners – Acer, Asus, Dell and Samsung - also announced store collaboration and plans.


The first apps now available cover education, entertainment, games, health, social networking and other categories. A sampling includes Arnold Palmer Golf, Boxee, Wikihow and Yoono.


The beta store will host applications for both the Microsoft Windows and the open source Moblin-based operating systems, the first operating systems to target the popular netbook computer category powered by the Intel Atom processor.


Over time, Intel and its partners expect to expand the stores to include applications for the large categories of handheld CE devices, smartphones, consumer electronic appliances, TVs and other devices based on future Intel processor families.
In addition to the Windows and Moblin-based operating systems, the Intel AppUp center will offer applications that use Web browser run-time environments such as Adobe Air and Microsoft Silverlight in the future.


Partner stores access the developer and store services the Intel AppUp center offers, including validating and categorizing apps and utilizing a common transaction infrastructure to administer purchases and downloads for these tailored stores. OEMs Acer, Asus, Dell and Samsung are working closely with Intel on their stores.