Firefox has some big new features coming, the Raspberry Pi project has a fresh update, Google updates the Play store, iBeacon devices are near, good news for Linux Dropbox users & Jean-Louis Gassée’s take on the new Microsoft CEO memo.

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Mozilla plans to release Electrolysis (multi-process architecture) with Firefox 36 – gHacks Tech News

Electrolysis (e10s) is one of the core improvements for Firefox that Mozilla is currently working on. The feature adds so-called multi-process support to Firefox in a way similar to how Chromium-based browsers make use of it already.
A multi-process architecture that separates the browser’s core from open websites

This should not be confused with sandboxing though even though Electrolysis is the gateway to make that happen later on.

Mozilla implemented Electrolysis in Nightly channel versions of the Firefox web browser back in February. The implementation was experimental back then and disabled by default.

Tests showed that work needed to be done, especially in regards to stability but also compatibility with add-ons.

October 13, 2014 – Firefox 36 development begins. This is the version of the browser where Firefox’s multi-process architecture will be moved from channel to channel (Nightly > Aurora > Beta > Stable) so that it is released to the stable channel of the browser on February 16, 2015.

Add-ons that are not compatible right now are among others Adblock Plus, LastPass, RequestPolicy, Greasemonkey, HTTPS Everywhere, BluHell Firewall or Video Download Helper.

Exclusive: Google Prepping Play Store Update That’s One Step Closer To Material With Beautiful New Listing UI

Looking back, it is now obvious that Google+ was our first taste of material design, followed by Google’s editing apps like docs and sheets.

In the same vein, we’ve received information indicating that Google’s makeover of the Play Store is well under way. Happily, we’re also able to share some images this time around.

Apps and games use the hero image or promo video developers have already uploaded to the Play Store, while movies use their respective trailers, and books and magazines use an expanded header.

The reviews section has been made more colorful.

Screenshot Claims To Show Off The Coming Windows 9 Start Menu

A purportedly leaked screenshot from what is alleged to be an early Windows 9 build (6.4.9788) shows what appears to be a heavily Metro-fied Start Menu — something that is consistent with recent reports on the subject.

Microsoft’s “Vision” keynote is under way. Their worldwide partner conference.

Microsoft’s New CEO Needs An Editor | Monday Note

Jul 13, 2014 By Jean-Louis Gassée

*Jean-Louis Gassée is a former executive at Apple Computer, where he worked from 1981 to 1990. He is most famous for founding Be Inc., creators of the BeOS computer operating system.

Nadella is a repeat befuddler. His first email to employees, sent just after he assumed the CEO mantel on earlier this year, was filled with bombastic and false platitudes:

“We are the only ones who can harness the power of software and deliver it through devices and services that truly empower every individual and every organization. We are the only company with history and continued focus in building platforms and ecosystems that create broad opportunity.”

Two possible explanations come to mind.

First, because he’s intelligent and literate, he forgot to use an unforgiving editor. ‘Chief, you really want to email that?’ Or, if he used an editor, he was victimized by a sycophantic one. ‘Satya, you nailed it!’

Second, and more likely, Nadella speaks in code. He’s making cryptic statements that are meant to prepare the troops for painful changes. Seemingly bland, obligatory statements about the future will decrypt into wrenching decision

*This is the beginning of our new FY 2015 – and of a new era at Microsoft.

I have good news and bad news.

The bad news is the old Devices and Services mantra won’t work.

For example: I’ve determined we’ll never make money in tablets or smartphones.

So, do we continue to pretend we’re “all in” or do we face reality and make the painful decision to pull out so we can use our resources – including our integrity – to fight winnable battles? With the support of the Microsoft Board, I’ve chosen the latter. We’ll do our utmost to minimize the pain that will naturally arise from this change.*

Apple-designed iBeacon hardware hits FCC: for Apple Stores, developers, or consumers? | 9to5Mac

On July 4th of this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made filings public from Apple regarding an Apple-branded piece of iBeacon equipment.

The hardware is shown above to be a rounded hub-like device with a USB port and a dedicate on and off switch at the bottom.

The documents also provide some technical information about the hardware. It is powered by a 5 volt power supply and it works on a 2.4GHz wireless frequency.

iBeacon is an Apple technology first introduced at WWDC 2013 alongside iOS 7.

iBeacons allow developers to create iOS applications that can use iBeacon hardware sensors to provide precise location information for the corresponding app.

For example, Apple uses iBeacons in its retail stores to provide information about nearby products, services, and upcoming classes.

Major retail chains like Walmart and Walgreens are also testing the technology.

Dropbox for Linux (2.11.0 experimental) debut with the rewrite UI and libQt!

Rewrite of the Windows & Linux UI.

• New Linux headless setup flow.
• Faster uploads for small files.

This UI rewrite helps us fix a large number of issues/glitches you have reported over the years, improve performance, a new setup wizard on Linux, and more!

Much of our UI is still rough around the edges so expect to see some things looking not quite right.

Introducing the Raspberry Pi Model B+

What is new:

1. Dual step-down (buck) power supply for 3.3V and 1.8V
2. 5V supply has polarity protection, 2A fuse and hot-swap protection
3. New USB/Ethernet controller chip
4. 4 USB ports instead of 2 ports
5. 40 GPIO pins instead of 26. The top/first 26 pins match the original layout, 9 additional GPIO and 2 EEPROM Plate identification pins
6. Composite (NTSC/PAL) video now integrated into 4-pole 3.5mm ‘headphone’ jack
7. MicroSD card socket instead of full size SD
8. Four mounting holes in rectangular layout
9. Many connectors moved around

What is not new:

1. Same basic size, 85mm x 56mm
2. Same Processor, Broadcom SoC running at 700MHz (can be overclocked)
3. Same RAM, 512MB soldered on top of the Broadcom chip
4. Same power connector, microUSB
5. Same software – identical operating systems will work fine, just make sure you have versions that are later than June 2014
6. First 26-pins of GPIO are the same
7. Same HDMI port
8. Audio part of the A/V jack is the same
9. Same Camera and DSI Display connector

• New product launch! Introducing Raspberry Pi Model B+ | Raspberry Pi