Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

If you’re reading this blog, then it’s likely you already are a regular rider of the RSS train. But RSS isn’t something everyone in the general public knows about, as only an estimated 5-percent of web users subscribe to websites using RSS. Hence the idea for RSS Awareness Day, which takes place on May 1, 2008 (which happens to be nine days before the first National Train Day, to continue with the train theme). In observance of this day, you can blog about RSS to help get the word out about this technology. 

According to Wikipedia; RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and along with the orange RSS icon became widespread in 2005/2006. RSS is defined as “a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts.” Which when used with either programs such as NewsFire or NetNewsWire or web-based readers such as Google Reader or Bloglines subscribers can have all the content from their favorite blogs available in one location, making it easy to get all the news. 

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If you are an RSS addict like myself then you are always on the lookout for that new fresh feed to grab and add it to your feedreader of choice.  With the new service Toluu finding new feeds has never been easier and never been more social!

Toluu overall is a pretty easy service to sign up for and begin sharing and discovering in no time.  When you begin you have two options for getting started by either manually adding feeds as you go or if you have an OPML file you can import that into the system and share all your feeds with the world which is where the social aspect of Toluu comes in.

The social aspect is probably the coolest part or the part that really stands out for the service. You can of course add friends to get a network going, but you can also search for other users out there who based on the services algorithm match you the best as well as the system recommending feeds you might want to add to your daily reads.

For me besides just the concept of the service being a great idea I think the support and interaction with the developers is top notch!  On several occasions I have spoken to Caleb Elston about ideas, issues, or just getting a feel for the service and where they want it to go.  I think that really helps a young and developing service to embrace the community aspect.

So with all that said I cannot recommend Toluu enough.  Its a beta service that still has some holes and improvements but they are coming and the service seems to improve daily.  Currently it is invite only so if you are interested in checking things out feel free to comment and leave your email address.  We will get you an invite ASAP.

Read [Toluu]

If you already read Gadgetell everyday, why not just subscribe to our RSS feed? 

According to Wikipedia, “RSS is a simple XML-based system that allows users to subscribe to their favorite websites.” But really, that’s even making it sound a whole lot more techie than it actually is.  RSS is a way to allow you to receive content (news, blogs, audio, video) without actually having to visit each site itself.

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I know for me, one big turn-off of the Microsoft Zune is the lack of Podcast support.  Until now you had to use a program that was made for the iPod - which could cause some potential issues with the Zune.  For those of you that are keeping your distance from the Zune due to its lack of Podcast support, we’ve got the perfect download for you.  The guys over at FireAnt.tv developed an application that was “DESIGNED FOR ZUNE” called FeedYourZune.  The freeware application is a “full featured RSS reader and Podcast Media Player.” Read on for more features.

Features:

• Automated download and syncing of Audio and Video Podcasts to your Zune.
  
• Full featured RSS video playback. Supports all video formats.
  
• Discover thousands of amazing Video and Audio Podcasts with the built-in Channel Guides from Network2, FireAnt, and more to come!
  
• Open web architecture: supports RSS, BitTorrent, and Blog Permalinks.
  
• Create playlists, favorites, manage disk space, and more…
  

An update to PSP system features was made available on April 25, 2006. Features updated in system software version 2.70 include the following:

Network

• Macromedia Flash content can now be displayed


• [Connection Settings] has been added as a setting under [Settings] in [Internet Browser] > [Tools]


• Audio content from [RSS Channel] can now be saved on Memory Stick Duo media.


• [Automatic] has been added as an option under [Rate] in the control panel of [LocationFree Player].

Video

• A new file extension has been added to playable AAC formats.


• [Enable Flash Player] has been added as a setting under [System Settings].


• Options to display simplified Chinese or traditional Chinese characters have been added under [System Settings] > [System Language].


• [RSS Channel Settings] has been added as a setting.


• [UMD Video L/R Button] has been added as an option under [Video Settings].

Other

• Certain conditions that have occurred when using Memory Stick PRO Duo with free (recordable) memory space of 2 GB or more are now solved.

Read and Download [Sony]

AT&T and Yahoo! launched a beta test of a new version of Yahoo! Mail, that provides enhanced functionality such as drag-and-drop e-mail organization, message preview and an integrated RSS reader with easy access to breaking news, blog entries and other feeds directly from Web mail. The AT&T Yahoo! Mail beta is available to some users today and will be available to all users in the coming months.

Like the current AT&T Yahoo! Mail experience, the new version is browser-based, making it universally accessible from any computer connected to the Internet, and there’s no need to download new software. The beta provides the most significant enhancement to the AT&T Yahoo! Mail interface and user experience since AT&T Yahoo! Mail launched in 2001. Click below the fold for the full feature list.

Highlights of the beta version of AT&T Yahoo! Mail include increased speed and the following features:

• Fast and easy-to-use interface that functions like a desktop client application.


• Drag-and-drop message organization.


• Reading pane to view messages instantly.


• Comprehensive and speedy search of e-mail headers, bodies and attachments.


• Ability to view multiple e-mails at the same time, using tabbed navigation.


• Integrated RSS reader, providing access to breaking news, blog entries and other feeds directly in the Web mail experience.


• Automatic check and delivery of new mail.


• Keyboard shortcuts and right-click menus.


• Ability to scroll through all message headers in a folder, rather than page by page.


• Address autocomplete.


• Industry-leading protection against spam and viruses.


• Available on Firefox (Mac/Windows) and Internet Explorer (Windows only).


• Integrated RSS Reader

[Press Release]