[Download Squad] 2 New Entries: Twicco.jp: is Japan already seeing the future of Twitter?

Twicco.jp: is Japan already seeing the future of Twitter?

Filed under: Internet, Social Software, web 2.0

When it comes to potential new features for Twitter, the Japanese version has always been a testing ground. For example, Twitter in Japan is supported by ads, which haven't hit the US yet (and nobody seems sure if they ever will!). While I'm just fine using Twitter without ads, we'd love to see an English version of Twicco, which basically adds group support to Twitter. You can test it out for yourself already, if you know Japanese or use something like Google Translate.

On Twicco, you can create a group account, and members can post messages that will then be distributed to the account's followers. The idea of a community account seems to add a lot to Twitter, especially for people whose normal accounts mix business and personal posts. Businesses could also benefit from using a community to open up a dialogue with their customers. That way, the rest of us don't have to read the ' tech support discussions and feature requests our friends are sending to companies as @replies: they can post them to the company community instead.

Twicco.jp: is Japan already seeing the future of Twitter? originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 genuinely kick-ass features to get excited about in Windows 7

Filed under: OS Updates, Features, Windows, Microsoft, Beta, Lists

After reading yet another rundown of what's so great about Windows 7, I noticed an annoying trend. Things like "no sidebar!" and "wallpaper slideshows!" appear to be among the most noteworthy achievements to some reviewers. I decided our loyal DS readers deserved to read a list of features that really do kick ass.

Enough mucking about: here are ten Windows 7 features that are genuinely worth getting excited about.

10. Easier and better wireless networking. Windows 7 takes a little from XP and a little from Vista, and rolls it all into a neat little package. Connection switching only requires two clicks and it can be done right from the system tray icon. Windows 7 also detects three more access points near my home than XP and Vista, and the connections to my work and home routers resume instantly when my laptop wakes.

9. Device stage. Right now, Windows treats multifunction devices like separate entities.This really doesn't make much sense: is your all-in-one three separate pieces of hardware? No? WIth device stage, you'll see only a single device in the control panel which you can then explore to access its multiple capabilities. To see it in action, check out Engadget's video from WinHEC.

Device Stage will improve integration with cell phones, PDAs, personal media players, cameras, and more - and it's a sign that Microsoft is more concerned about simplicity and ease of use than they were with Vista.

Continue reading 10 genuinely kick-ass features to get excited about in Windows 7

10 genuinely kick-ass features to get excited about in Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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