Firefox 14 Now Fitted With Built In HTML 5 Based PDF Reader

Mozilla has now started to integrate a native PDF reader into Firefox 14 versions. A new nightly build of Firefox 14 has been released over the weekend, which brings with it a new integrated PDF viewer within Firefox.

When a PDF is now opened in the Firefox 14 a browse tab is created and a toolbar appears at the top enabling you to go to a specific page, change the zoom level, print, download the PDF, or bookmark its current location.

You can now download a version of the latest Firefox 14 browser to give the viewer a go for yourself from the Mozilla Nightly channel. Simple download the browser and then enable the PDF viewer within the extensions section of the settings menu. Andreas Gal, one of the authors of pdf.js explained the benefits for a integrated PDF viewer back in 2011:

“Displaying PDFs directly in the browser would definitely improve the user’s experience. There are literally millions (billions?) of PDFs floating around the web, and on many devices loading PDFs switches to a different application (e.g. Preview on OS X and PDF View on Android). Also, external PDF readers and many plugins don’t support important PDF features well, including content links and fetch-as-you-go (HTTP range requests).

The traditional approach to rendering PDFs in a browser is to use a native-code plugin, either Adobe’s own PDF Reader or other commercial renderers, or some open source alternative (e.g. poppler). From a security perspective, this enlarges the trusted code base, and because of that Google’s Chrome browser goes through quite some pain to sandbox the PDF renderer to avoid code injection attacks. An HTML5-based implementation is completely immune to this class of problems.”

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Xbox 360 Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go And MLB.tv Apps Now Available

Today Microsoft has announced that a number of new video apps have now launched on their Xbox 360 including Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go and MLB.tv, as Microsoft continues to add more entertainment to their gaming console.

The new addition on the Xbox 360 now take the available applications to 36 including Netflix, ESPN, Hulu, Vudu, and YouTube, most of which are also accessible using Microsoft Kinect motion controlr.

The new Comcast Xfinity TV has been designed to mirror the content and user interface experience of its PC software. The applications also require that users are paying subscribers to Comcast’s cable service, the HBO premium network, or MLB.tv. The new applications can now be download by Xbox 360 owners from the apps section within the Xbox user interface.

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Temple Run Game Launches On Android Devices (video)

Earlier this month it was announced that the great Temple Run game would be arriving on Android devices today, and as expected its now available to download for free in the Google Play Store. Watch a demonstration of the new Indian Jones style Temple Run game in action on Android after the jump.

The addictive Temple Run game has already been released in the Apple iTunes Store for iOS devices and has racked up over 40 million downloads since launch.

As you can see in the video below, you use gesture and swipes to navigate your character through the game, as he tries to escape the temple clutching the precious stolen idol.

“You’ve stolen the cursed idol from the temple, and now you have to run for your life to escape the Evil Demon Monkeys nipping at your heels. Test your reflexes as you race down ancient temple walls and along sheer cliffs. Swipe to turn, jump and slide to avoid obstacles, collect coins and buy power ups, unlock new characters, and see how far you can run!”

You can now download Temple Run for free from the Google Android Play Store now.

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Harry Potter Books Now Available As eBooks (Video)

Harry Potter fans will be pleased to know that JK Rowling has now started selling digital downloads of the Harry Potter books from her Pottermore website.

All seven of the books are now available to download as an eBook and they will apparently work with a wide range of digital eReaders in English, with other languages launching in the future.

The first three books are available for $8 each and the last four are available for $10 each, you can also buy all seven books as a set for $58, and you can find out more details over at Pottermore.

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Battlefield 3 Dedicated Server Prices

The latest Battlefield 3 patch which has been released within the last 24 hours has now brought the ability for console gamers to setup and enjoy dedicated Battlefield 3 servers. DICE is currently implementing a soft launch for the servers, that won’t reach full capacity until next week.

The new Battlefield 3 patch is just over 1GB in size, and enables you to create both private and public dedicated Battlefield 3 server, and manage them from your console.

Prices for the new Battlefield 3 server start from just £1.19 for a single days and then are offered at 7 days for £5.49, 30 days for £19.99; and 90 days for £47.99.

Private Battlefield 3 servers come with a few enforced rules that cannot be changed, but all tools to tweak your server are provided and are available from within your console. ** If you have the Back to Karkand DLC and download the patch you may have to re-download the DLC as well.

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BlueStacks App Player Beta Brings Android Apps To Windows PCs

Developers of the new BlueStacks application have today announced the roll out of a beta version of the software. BlueStacks App Player has been designed to enable you to run ARM Android applications on your Widows PC.

BlueStacks Beta which is now available to download uses new technology called LayerCake, which provides the correct environment on Windows to run ARM Android Apps.

Once you have loaded BlueStacks on to your Windows PC the software allows you to download Android apps directly from within the software. Without the need to use an Android phone,

BlueStacks as comes supplied with a neat dock launcher that fits naturally with the Windows interface. Manju Hegde, corporate vice president, Content, Applications and Solutions at AMD, said in BlueStacks’ statement announcing the new beta.

“LayerCake is a disruptive technology that enables PC manufacturers to bring the best of the Android ecosystem to their customers. We are excited to work with BlueStacks to make the emerging Android mobile apps market part of the broader computing arena,”

Using the new BlueStacks application you can also run ARM Android apps in either windowed or full-screen mode, and the software now available for 12 non-English speaking countries, including Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, China, Germany, Korea and Russia.

Jump over to the BlueStacks website for more information and to download a copy of the software to load onto your Windows PC or tablets.

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