The latest release brings the Mac OS X UI up to date with the Windows version – with all the tabs on top and new CSS3 goodness. Performance and startup time have also been improved significantly thanks to a rework on the XPCOM module. Scrolling and CSS3 animation performance would also see a boost thanks to a new Retained Layers system which can render and then cache the entire page in memory making it unnecessary to repaint everything on every refresh.

App Tabs now also make an appearance in the Firefox 4 Beta 2 build. You can right click on any open tab and “Make it into an App Tab” – which are like the Pined Tabs in Google Chrome. Javascript engine has also been optimized for further speed boosts, though I couldn’t test it yet on the SunSpider benchmark. There are over 650 changes from the previous beta build in total.

I couldn’t get the Acid3 score on Firefox 4 Beta 2, because AcidTests.org was down at the time of writing. I’ll update the post with benchmark performance stats and the Acid3 score as soon as I can test that.

For now you can download Firefox 4 Beta 2 for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux by following the link in the download box below.

Here are a couple of tweets from planetbeing’s twitter profile:

We’re gonna be able to give you an unlock with the jailbreak.

It will probably be the usual thing where you jailbreak and then install ultrasn0w from Cydia.

As for the Jailbreak itself, Comex already said that he isn’t waiting for iPhone 4.1 to be released before he would release his new Jailbreak for iPhone 4. So that means a new userspace / userland jailbreak for all devices running iOS 4.0 would probably be here in the next week or two. And when it does, ultrasn0w would be ready to unlock it right out of the gate.

Of course until that time we have no other choice but to wait up  - and save the SHSH blobs while at it. Comex said that either one of iOS 4.0 or iOS 4.0.1 would do. I’ll post about the jailbreak as soon as it comes out so make sure you stick around by following me on Twitter or on Facebook.

Oh and if you are on iPhone 3G/3GS or iPod Touch 2G/3G you can jailbreak on iOS 4 right now using sn0wbreeze or redsn0w and unlock via ultrasn0w.

Also included… subtle references to the Gizmodo debacle and Foxconn suicides. But enough wordplay, just watch the video with English subtitles up top.

The first beta released just over an year ago generated a lot of positive reviews from the critics and negative reaction from the competitors. I personally started using Security Essentials when the first beta came out and haven’t bothered with my Norton or Kaspersky subscription since then. Security Essentials is perfect for home and everyday use and you just can’t beat the price – FREE.

Version 2.0 enhances the app by adding new features including:

1. Windows Firewall integration: Microsoft Security Essentials setup allows you to turn on Windows Firewall.
2. Enhanced protection from web-based threats: Microsoft Security Essentials has enhanced integration with Internet Explorer which helps prevent malicious scripts from running and provides improved protection against web based attacks.
3. New and improved protection engine: The updated engine offers enhanced detection and cleanup capabilities and better performance.

Even though this is just a beta, Security Essentials 2010 is a fully featured product – which means is generally safe for everyday use but it MAY crash once a few weeks or so. You also need to be running a Genuine copy of Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or 3), Windows Vista (all versions) or Windows 7.

To download Microsoft Security Essentials 2010, just:

• Follow the download link given below, and log in with your Windows Live ID.
• From the download page, click on build compatible with your OS (32-bit or 64-bit). If you’re not sure what version you are running then open System Properties from the Control Panel. System Type should be mentioned there.
• On the download page, click the download link next to the file. Your download should now start.
• After the download completes, just run the installer. If you already had Security Essentials 2009 installed, the installer would upgrade it.

I’d recommend turning on Windows Firewall in conjunction with Security Essentials because it lacks a firewall of its own. Well actually it is designed to work with Windows Firewall, but you get the idea.

Kinect for Xbox 360 also got confirmed for $149 in the US and would be available on November 4 as previously announced. Kinect Adventures would be in the package for free pretty much like Wii Sprots did with the Wii – but who’s complaining.

What’s more exciting is that you can get a taste of the new Xbox 360 S and Kinect for only $299. The Bundle packs both the Xbox 360 S Arcade and the Kinect motion sensor along with Kinect Adventures in once nice package. Sadly, there was no confirmation of the rumored $399 bundle which would pack the Xbox 360 S Elite with Kinect. I personally was eying that package so I guess now I’ll just have to go with the $299 Xbox 360 S Elite and the $149 Kinect bringing the sum to $450.

That is unless Microsoft don’t announce the elite bundle down the road. Here’s the official press release which also lists a rather large number of Kinect launch titles like Dance Central. Oh and by the way, if you Pre-Order the Kinect or the Kinect console bundle now, you’d get exclusive Kinect Adventures DLC at launch with additional levels and challenges.

REDMOND, Wash. — July 20, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. today announced an all-in-one opportunity to jump into the controller-free fun of Kinect this holiday: the all-new Xbox 360 4GB console, the revolutionary Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures” packaged together for $299.99 (U.S. ERP). With “Kinect Adventures,” players will make their way through 20 adventures, navigating roaring rapids and ducking and dodging through mountaintop obstacle courses and other exotic locations — no controller, wand or balance board required. In addition, existing Xbox 360 console owners can purchase the Kinect sensor with “Kinect Adventures” for $149.99 (U.S. ERP). The sensor, which will work with each of the 40 million Xbox 360 consoles currently in households worldwide,(1) is uniquely able to track your full body movements, respond to your voice and deliver a multiplayer experience right out of the box.

In addition, the new Xbox 360 4GB console, which begins shipping on Aug. 3 in the U.S., will be available for $199.99 (U.S. ERP). With a sleek new design, the Xbox 360 4GB console looks great and includes built-in Wi-Fi N, 4GB of internal flash memory, touch-sensitive buttons and a black matte finish. (2)

“Kinect for Xbox 360 offers tremendous entertainment value for the whole family,” said Dennis Durkin, Xbox 360 chief operating officer. “With full body, voice and the ability to play games with your friends right out of the box, Kinect is the most unique, complete and affordable way for everyone to enjoy controller-free fun and entertainment.”

With more than 15 games available at launch, living rooms will become fitness rooms, dance clubs and sports stadiums. Kinect games, including “Kinectimals,” “Kinect Sports,” “Kinect Joy Ride” and MTV Games’ and Harmonix’s “Dance Central” will retail for $49.99 (U.S. ERP). In addition to games, Kinect changes the way you experience entertainment by putting your favorite movies, TV programs, music and live sports from ESPN all in one place. Begin a movie by simply saying, “Xbox, play,” or browse through a music list with the wave of a hand. Kinect also creates new ways for friends and family to have fun together. With Video Kinect,(3) share a smile with friends and family, as you open a window into living rooms around the world.

“I think Kinect is a major leap forward in the gaming experience that will appeal to both mainstream and casual gamers,” said Michael Gartenberg, partner, Altimeter Group, and author of the Engadget Entelligence column.

Starting today, select retailers are taking pre-orders for the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle at $299.99 (U.S. ERP) and Kinect for Xbox 360 at $149.99 (U.S. ERP). Pre-order Kinect or the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle today, and at launch receive a token to download three exclusive game levels for “Kinect Adventures,” the game included with Kinect.(4) Those wanting more information or to pre-order now should go to http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy.

This new video does put my doubts regarding LG Panther made out of liquid plastic to rest thanks to a much more stable frame rate. From the YouTube video description translated via Google:

According to numerous requests from colleagues – improved quality and a small restructuring of my previous webcast, filmed not on the webcam and the camera HD.

Right from the start you’d notice that the UI is much more polished and responsive since we are getting close to a final build. Switching in and out of apps and pages is smooth as well and now since Microsoft have disabled application backgrounding in the latest build, phones shouldn’t get bogged down after prolonged usage. The video also shows Calendar and Message applications in action along with notifications, and I also noticed three new apps (Stocks, Translator and Unit Converter) in the Programs list but they just might be 3rd party apps to test on the device.

I still couldn’t help noticing the slight lag in the People’s Hub when data had to be pulled from the network but that can most probably be an issue with the poor reception in the area.

While I don’t think the LG Panther would be one of the hottest Windows Phone 7 devices in development right now – it still is a satisfying experience seeing it running a basic walk-through of a newer build of the upcoming Windows Phone OS.

Since the video is in Ukrainian (or Russian), I can’t really figure out what they are saying but I’m sure its along the lines of “this is still a pre-beta build hence the minor issues”. On the same note, this isn’t exactly the same build as the one released with the Windows Phone Developer Tools Beta earlier this week, though I can’t say if its exactly newer or older.

I did notice a couple of new UI effects while flicking through long lists like in the People’s hub which make the overall UI more appealing. It looks like there were some network issues where they were testing, but hopefully its not a hardware/software issue like the iPhone 4 Death Grip. I’ve embedded the near 9 minute video below so do share anything you find different in this build of Windows Phone 7 or what they are saying if you understand the language via the comments below.

By the way, I couldn’t help wondering whether the video was shot in a very lame frame rate or the LG Panther is actually made of some sort of Liquid Metal?

Update

Sadly, that was just a lame frame rate, since a new demo video shot in HD clears that up.

This release is also compatible with any English language version of Visual Studio 2010 RTM you have installed and would integrate the Windows Phone tools with your existing Visual Studio 2010 installation. Of course the tools are incompatible with any previous versions of themselves so you better uninstall the previous CTP version if you had any.

Other requirements include Windows 7 or Windows Vista Service Pack 2, 3GB of hard drive space, 2GB of RAM and a DirectX 10 compatible GPU if you plan to develop XNA games. This release also includes Expression Blend for Windows Phones within the package though it doesn’t integrate with Expression Studio 4 yet. There’s also a fair share of breaking changes with this release (usually reorganized namespaces and libraries) so make sure you update your apps accordingly.

If you’re interested in trying out Windows Phone 7 on the emulator, then you can find the download link for the tools below.

The new Firefox 4 Beta 1 brings us the glimpse of the major new UI revision that’s going to be the part of the final version of Firefox 4. While I haven’t seen what’s in store for the Mac and Linux version, the Windows version would get support for deep Aero integration, as well as tabs on top – just like Google Chrome and Opera.

Mozilla is also working to remove most of the dialog boxes from Firefox 4 and implementing them as native tabs. This would allow them to port Firefox 4 to platforms which do not have a window manager, like the Apple iPad for instance (Note: I’m only using the iPad as an example). Of course the full transition of the UI would take time, but Firefox 4 Beta 1 does move the Add-ons manager into a tabbed process. Expect a similar treatment for the History browser and even the Options dialog.

As for performance, I haven’t run full tests yet but it definitely feels faster than Firefox 3.6, though not as much as Internet Explorer 9 Platform Preview 3 (phew!) and Google Chrome 6. Of course it is still a work in progress so expect more performance improvements. It also manages a 97/100 on the Acid 3 tests.

I couldn’t get a hold of the official changelog yet, so I’ll update the post as soon as I get it. As for a release date of the final version, Mozilla is eying November/December 2010 for the final release of Firefox 4.

You can find the download link below. The executable is for the Windows version only but you can find other operating systems by hitting the source link.

Update 2

Firefox 4 Beta 2 is now available for download!

Update

Here’s the official release notes.

• Tabs are now on top by default on Windows only – OSX and Linux will be changing when the theme has been modified to support the change.
• On Windows Vista and Windows 7 the menu bar has been replaced with the Firefox button.
• You can search for and switch to already open tabs in the Smart Location Bar
• New Addons Manager and extension management API (UI will be changed before final release)
• Significant API improvements are available for JS-ctypes, a foreign function interface for extensions.
• The stop and reload buttons have been merged into a single button on Windows, Mac and Linux.
• The Bookmarks Toolbar has been replaced with a Bookmarks Button by default (you can switch it back if you’d like).
• Crash protection for Windows, Linux, and Mac when there is a crash in the Adobe Flash, Apple Quicktime or Microsoft Silverlight plugins.
• CSS Transitions are partially supported.
• Full WebGL support is included but disabled by default at this time.
• Core Animation rendering model for plugins on Mac OS X. Plugins which also support this rendering model can now draw faster and more efficiently.
• Native support for the HD HTML5 WebM video format.
• An experimental Direct2D rendering backend is available on Windows, turned off by default.
• Web developers can use Websockets for a low complexity, low latency, bidirectional communications API.
• Web developers can update the URL field without reloading the page using HTML History APIs.
• More responsive page rendering using lazy frame construction.
• Link history lookup is done asynchronously to provide better responsiveness during pageload.
• CSS :visited selectors have been changed to block websites from being able to check a user’s browsing history.
• New HTML5 parser.
• Support for more HTML5 form controls.

The leaked build 7601.16562.100603-1800 is the same which was released to testers two days ago (though there is no guarantee that it wasn’t tampered with). here are the build details from Wzor.

MICROSOFT.WIN.7.AND.SRV.2008.R2.SERVICE.PACK-1.BETA-1.WAVE0.DVD-MSFT

BUILD: 7601.16562.100603-1800
FILE:  7601.16562.100603-1800_Update_Sp_Wave0-B1SP1.0_DVD.iso
SIZE: 1,254.15 MB
SHA-1: 79B0DF498F18DFFFE30B3E8B955BF300AB2EBED4
MD5: A69A8ED20FC91AAB4A0D0C16A885B313
CRC: 7249366E
NOTE: Wave0: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish.

According to Wzor, the Windows 7 SP1 Beta download ISO contains three different packages based on platforms. There is the Windows 7 SP1 Beta for x86, Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 for x64, and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 for iA-64.

The official Windows 7 SP1 beta would be released for public download towards the end of July, until then if you want to trust a potentially modified build, then that’s your call. And remember, Google is your best friend.