Another perfect browser?

For many, OmniWeb is the browser of choice.

Okay, not for many. But for a few passionate users, OmniWeb can't be beat. Most people, though, wonder why they should drop cash on a web bowser when you can get Firefox and Safari for free.

I'm not going to get into that debate. I just wanted to tell you that, according to their blog, OmniWeb 5.8 is out. It's running the same version of WebKit as Safari 3.1.

This isn't the same build that scored 100% on the Acid Test, but it's pretty close, and expect an update soon to bring both Safari and OmniWeb to "best browser in the world" status. 

And then, let the battle begin.

(Did I mention that Explorer is still at 14%? Does anyone care?)

Desperately wanting to try Chrome?

...You know Chrome? That Google-built open source browser that is supposed to take the old fashioned web browser and bring it to a new level?

Of course you don't, because it isn't available for Mac. Or Linux. At least, not officially. But a bunch of code monkeys have taken Chromium, the open source part of Chrome, wrapped it in Wine, and released it for the rest of us. It's not as nice as a purpose built version, but if you really want to see what the fuss is about, and you don't have, say, Parallels installed (as I don't), here's your chance. 

How's you're Mac Running?

Just fine, thanks. 

WebKit is the perfect browser

Yes, Webkit is now at 100% against Acid Test, says the Webkit blog. But if you don't trust me, you can download a nightly build and test it yourself.

How do you use webkit? Easy peasy. Download and install like you would a regular application. The application looks like Safari, and feels like Safari, it's just faster. To keep you from confusing it with Safari, though, it has a gold rim around the compass, and always opens to a page that tells you if you are up to date with webkit or if there is a new nightly build.

Of course, the reason for downloading and using nightly builds is to provide feedback. So do report stability issues to the webkit team. 

Thank you. 

PS: In other news, IE is at 14% against Acid Test. You go, big guy. 

Reckoner Remixin'

Remember that idea for a series of commercials I was telling you about? And I invoked Thom Yorke's name? Well Radiohead has release Reckoner as six tracks on iTunes, which you can take and remix, and play with. 

While the tracks can be remixed in any old program, the assumption is that you'll do it in Garageband. In fact, those who purchase the tracks in the first two weeks get a code that allows them to download a full Garageband version of the song.

So, what are you waiting for? Go, go go! Remix to your heart's content. 

New Apple Store

For all of youse in Calgary and Toronto still looking to get some free Apple swag, you have another chance. This Saturday, new stores will open in Market Mall, in Calgary, and at Fairview, in Toronto. 

When they open an Apple Store in Dawson Creek, I'll be happy, but I'll know that they have officially jumped the shark, too. Sad, isn't it?

Alliance Films in Canada? Say it ain't so

So. Alliance Films is the largest film distributor in Canada. 

And apparently, they've now inked a deal to sell and rent movies on the Canadian iTunes store. 

Which is, don't get me wrong, a good thing. Recent movies like Sex and The City, Journey to the Centre of the Earth 3D, Burn after Reading and The Women will now be available on iTunes in Canada, at least when they get released on DVD (from that list, only Sex and the City is out so far). 

But I'm *still* waiting for the TV shows to start coming to iTunes. The most recent addition? The Nature of Things. That's cool. But where's Battlestar Galactica? Babylon 5? Greatest American Hero? There's a lot of back catalogue on the American store that isn't available in Canada, and you think it would be. Sigh. A boy can dream, can't he?

Daily Reading: Winning an Emmy

I've long had this idea percolating in the back of my mind for a series of Mac commercials where someone sitting on a plane with a Windows machine would talk about how he likes listening to music on his computer. In the seat next to him would be Thom Yorke, making music on his. Or having someone watching a movie on the windows machine, and next door is someone editing a movie on his Macbook Pro...

Here's a perfect example of that in real life, except without the plane. A band director bought a mac, got one on one training from an Apple Genius, and used that knowledge to win himself an Emmy. Epic, that. 

Gruber has some thoughts on the new PC ads...

...I really like his point about the fact that the latest ad reinforces the Mac Marketing. By adopting Mac's language, they are engaging in the discussion on Apple's terms, falling into that "Don't think of purple elephant" thinking (because by referring to the Purple Elephant, you are forcing your audience to think about Purple Elephants).

Anyway, you can read more of his thoughts here. 

NBC is coming back to iTunes

...but will they be coming to Canada? I'm thinking not.