The guys behind the WordPress blogging platform have released the next major update of WordPress, version 3.0 “Thelonious” (named after Thelnoious Monk, an American jazz pianist). Included are exactly 1,217 bug fixes, a bulk updater that can update all your plugins, themes, and WordPress installation at once, and a new, modern theme called “Twenty Ten”. Also overlooked is that this the version where WordPress MU and the regular version merge, meaning that it’s possible to run as much blogs as you want (even if it’s just one) from a single installation of WordPress.

When a new installation of WordPress is performed, the now-antique theme that came with WordPress 1.6 is no longer default. Instead a super slick, clean, and custom header capable theme is in its place. The theme can also be found in your Appearance panel under “themes”.

Whether if your hosting your installation at home or abroad in a data center, an upgrade to version 3.0 is a must have. If you’re a bit of a conservative person when it comes to software upgrades, it’s best to wait back a few days or weeks for critical security patches and other glitches to be flattened out. Or if you’re liberal on upgrades, the download is there for you take via the WordPress website or the update feature in your dashboard. Just be sure to back up your database first.

Also in the codex (the documentary), there’s a change-log since the last update. TechWay been using a development version of 3.0 since January and my impression is extremely satisfactory. The nightly build is now onto 3.1 alpha, with no noticeable differences between 3.0 and the current bleeding edge release.

Additionally, WordPress.com and WordPress VIP users need not to worry for latest updates. Automattic provides automatic updates and ensures your data will be secure.

Source: WordPress Development Blog

Firefox Home is a way for you to view your bookmarks, history, open tabs, and the Awesome Bar of your computer’s Firefox browser on your iPhone and iPod touch, albeit that Firefox Home isn’t actually a browser. The app has not been submitted to the App Store, but seems likely to pass (after all, Opera Mini did).

Source: Mozilla Blog

As if that wasn’t a long enough wait, Amazon Kindle for Mac is now available to download off the Amazon website. The download was quietly released today and is a mere 22MB, Intel Macs only. There’s nothing special – it does what Kindle for PC does and has Whispersync, the full Kindle collection, and that’s about it. Click the source link to download.

Source: Amazon

iPhone OS 3.1.3 was launched into the hands of iPhone and iPod touch users everywhere today, but it only a minor update, fixing the accuracy of the iPhone 3GS battery level and where third party applications would not launch. Seems small and worthwhile for some if it weren’t that it would cut your jailbreak. If you don’t experience app crashes on startup, experiencing problems with the the Kana keyboard or don’t have a iPhone 3GS, you need not upgrade and lose your jailbreaking freedom. Until then, it is probably best until the iPhone Dev-Team release an iPhone OS 3.1.3 jailbreak. However, there is a workaround for iPhone 2G users: point the .ipsw during the jailbreak with yellowsn0w to iPhone OS 3.1.2 and restore. iPhone 3G users can use the same workaround if they don’t mind losing unlocking.

If the Chrome OS tablet had not been canceled, we might have been expecting this tablet, which is an official concept by Google. It seems innovative, and even though is just a web browser, it could jab a hole in iPad’s momentum from rumors after rumors before it’s launch.

The pictures have been posted on the official Chromium site, and even though Chromium is not part of Google, they were designed by Chrome’s UI designer. Also worthwhile to know: there will be more than one Chrome tablet since Chromium OS is open source. Video and gallery below.

Source: Chromium.org