Microsoft plans to open up Outlook PST data format

Microsoft said today that it plans to open up the PST data format commonly used within Outlook.

In a MSDN blog posting, Paul Lorimer, Group Manager of Microsoft Office Interoperability, confirmed Microsoft want to improve platform-independent access to email, calendar, contacts, and other data generated by Microsoft Outlook. The PST format is used to store data ranging from email to calendar and contacts and allows for users to export and import that data within Microsoft Outlook.

According to Lorimer: "In order to facilitate interoperability and enable customers and vendors to access the data in .pst files on a variety of platforms, we will be releasing documentation for the .pst file format. This will allow developers to read, create, and interoperate with the data in .pst files in server and client scenarios using the programming language and platform of their choice. The technical documentation will detail how the data is stored, along with guidance for accessing that data from other software applications. It also will highlight the structure of the .pst file, provide details like how to navigate the folder hierarchy, and explain how to access the individual data objects and properties."

Microsoft says the documentation is still being worked on and is in its "early stages". With an Office 2010 public beta due next month it's reasonable to assume we will hear a lot more about Office 2010 in general at next months Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles. Allowing the PST format to be documented and open will allow web mail providers like Gmail and social networking sites like Facebook to better import data from Microsoft's Outlook application.

Experts warn of Windows 7's abilities to encrypt child porn

Windows 7 can allow potentially incriminating data (such as child pornography) to be encrypted on a user's hard drive and make detection by police "impossible", experts in Australia claim. Speaking to News.com.au, Hetty Johnson, a member of the Federal Government, called on Microsoft to act now and make immediate changes. "If this new product gives paedophiles protection to keep harming children I would be extremely disappointed. I would expect the company to take moves to rectify this."

Australian law states that authorities can obtain warrants to use a Trojan horse to gain access to a computer's data, but unlike British law, refusing to decrypt data when requested by the police is completely legal. Adrian McCullagh, of the Queensland University of Technology, believes that current laws slow down police in their investigations. "They need to act quickly and legal powers to force criminals to surrender decryption keys or face a possible jail term."

Despite encryption being present in Windows for several years, Dr McCullagh fears that "with so many people using Microsoft, within years most people will have access to this technology…there are legitimate reasons for encryption, but there are also criminal reasons."

Sky Player on Xbox 360 off to a shaky start [UK]

British firm BSkyB has joined forces with Microsoft to give Xbox 360 owners the chance to watch live television and on demand content on their consoles.

The two firms launched the new Sky Player service on Xbox 360 today but in a u-turn the service has been switched off for new users until tomorrow due to an "unforeseen technical issue". According to many who were able to use the service today there has been a mixed reaction to the service. Some were able to use it perfectly whilst others struggled getting content streaming correctly. Microsoft issued the following statement:

"The Sky Player on Xbox 360 service did successfully launch early this morning, it has subsequently been suspended due to an unforeseen technical issue. With so much excitement and interest in the service, we'd much prefer to ensure that our customers enjoy the highest possible quality of service. We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to our customers who have attempted to access the service today. Sky Player engineers are hard at work to resolve the problem - we expect to have the full service available tomorrow."

Clearly both companies did not anticipate the high demand for the service and may not have conducted enough large-scale user testing beforehand.

Sky Player for Xbox 360 gives subscribers access to live pay TV channels - including Sky Sports and video on demand content. Neowin exclusively revealed the full channel list and cost earlier this month. Microsoft also plans to launch the Sky Player service in Media Center "soon". We managed to get an early sneak peek at this service at the Windows 7 UK launch last week. Existing Sky TV customers will be able to purchase an online Sky Player multiroom subscription for £9.75 per month. Customers with Sky Multiroom or Sky Broadband Unlimited will be able to access live channels for no extra charge. Non-Sky TV customers will require a monthly subscription that starts at £15 per month to the Base Entertainment Pack. In addition to the live channels, customers will also have access to on-demand programmes from channels they subscribe to.

Fingers crossed that the service is up and running correctly tomorrow. Meanwhile here's a hands on video from one of our Neowin readers, Chris Brown:

Google announces Android 2.0 platform

Google has announced today the new Android 2.0 platform.

Android 2.0 brings new developer APIs for sync, Bluetooth, and some other areas. Developers can now write applications to enable users to sync their devices to various contact sources. With the new Bluetooth API, developers can easily add peer-to-peer connectivity or gaming to their applications.

Google has published a full list of improvements but amongst the improvements here are the best ones we have found:

• Email - Exchange support
• Messaging - Search support
• Camera - Built-in flash support, Digital zoom
• Keyboard - Improved virtual keyboard to help with correct characters and typing speed
• Browser - HTML5 support, double tap zoom, tap the address bar for instant searches and navigation
• Bluetooth 2.1 support, Object Push Profile (OPP) and Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) support

With the amount of operating system additions and improved support for multiple screen sizes and Bluetooth 2.1, we'd expect to see a whole range of new Android devices ready for when 2.0 is ready.

Microsoft launched their first Microsoft Store last Thursday in Scottsdale, Arizona. With all the hoopla of the Windows 7 launch we thought we'd let that die down before posting a few details on Microsoft's new stores.

Microsoft Silverlight team member Tim Heuer posted a great overview of his own personal experience. According to Heuer he visited the store 4 days after the initial launch which saw people queuing to enter the store and grabbing free Zune HDs.

Upon first entering the store the logo is clearly visible and colourful, similar to Apple, Microsoft have opted for the logo and no mention of "Microsoft". It's clear the whole store is a copycat of Apple's retail stores but is this a bad thing? Apple has perfected its stores over the years and they clearly work.



The first store opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m with 500 people waiting in line to excitedly enter the store (as shown below in the video). The store is kitted out with Microsoft Surface tables, giant screens across the walls, "gaming zones" where approximately 15% of the store is dedicated to Xbox 360 games and accessories. The store also sells Windows compatible laptops such as Dell, Toshiba, HP, Sony, Acer, Lenovo, etc and a variety of Microsoft hardware.







Copycat?

Microsoft have opted for an "answers desk" which is a clear comparison to Apple's genius bar. Microsoft also offers training sessions aimed at exploring Windows 7, to Zune HD features and understanding Office better. Once again these are similar to the sessions that Apple holds. Imitation is often the sincerest form of flattery and in this case I don't believe Apple will be flattered. The comparisons to the Apple Store will always stick but this shouldn't take away from the effort Microsoft has put into these upcoming stores. The walls are littered with exciting WPF applications that demonstrate products well.

According to Heuer he was most impressed with the employees who seemed to be knowledgeable and polite. The Mission Viejo store is due to open later this week (October 29).

Google introduces Social Search

Google has announced the next step in its ever evolving search engine, Social Search.

Google is currently rolling out a test version on Google Labs. The idea is simple, more relevant and personalised search. Imagine searching for New York and finding your friends blog on New York or searching for Florida and finding pictures of Disney World from one of your friends. It makes searching more personal.

All the content is available on the web but what Google has done is surface that content together in one single place to make your results more relevant. Google builds a social circle of your friends and contacts using the connections linked from your public Google profile, such as the people you're following on Twitter or FriendFeed. The results are specific to you, so you need to be signed in to your Google Account to use Social Search. If you use Gmail, Google also include your chat buddies and contacts in your friends, family, and coworkers groups. And if you use Google Reader, Google will include some websites from your subscriptions as part of your social search results.

Google Social Search will be available from Google Labs today.

Facebook announce memorial profiles for deceased members

Friends and families of deceased users on Facebook will soon be given the option to turn their profiles into memorials. The new feature will be introduced as a result of several complaints regarding status updates and suggestions about deceased users, according to The Guardian.

Information that may be sensitive to relatives or friends of the deceased user, as well as status updates and contacts will be removed by Facebook after the person is confirmed to be dead (either through news articles, obituaries or other proof of death). The newly introduced "Suggestions" feature will no longer remind people to help their dead friend or relative either.

"We understand how difficult it can be for people to be reminded of those who are no longer with them, which is why it's important when someone passes away that their friends or family contact Facebook to request that a profile be memorialized," said Max Kelly, the head of security at Facebook.

In addition, the privacy settings of the user's profile are changed so that only confirmed Facebook friends can view the "memorialised" profile, or find it in search results. They can also post remembrance comments on the deceased person's wall.

"When someone leaves us, they don't leave our memories or our social network. To reflect that reality, we created the idea of "memorialized" profiles as a place where people can save and share their memories of those who've passed," Max said.

Google set to offer free turn-by-turn GPS mobile app

Google announced today that it will be offering a free turn-by-turn directional GPS service for its Android 2.0 mobile devices.

According to Gizmodo, Google is working closely with Apple to deliver this app in the future to the iPhone. Google's GPS navigation will take advantage of Google Maps, hybrid and Street View images.

When Android 2.0 ships in November to consumers, the Google GPS mobile application will offer a fantastic feature list including traffic data. Traffic data will notify users of accidents and slow traffic on major highways. The cloud map network, which will be constantly updated, will offer the latest reports on highway traffic flow, using data from department's highway cameras and from cell phones using Google Maps.

Google's GPS application will offer cached maps, so users will still find their way, even if they loseInternet connection. There isn't any route planning for multiple destinations built into the mobile service, but you can search for points of interest along the way including gas and restaurants.

Google's GPS will offer a many more advantages over current devices, including showing satellite view of the overhead and a hybrid overlay with street names. The device will also offer a street view hybrid overlay with arrows when you're supposed to turn or at your final destination.

If the Google GPS releases for the iPhone in the near future, it will definitely ruffle some feathers with developers, who are selling similar applications for upwards of $50.

Quarter of British gamers download games

A survey of British gamers has found that a quarter prefer to purchase and download their games online, often through their console's store, rather than purchase a physical copy from a retail store. According to TNS, who conducted the survey, digital distribution will outstrip retail sales within three years.

The results of the UK National Gamers Survey 2009, which surveyed 13,000 people in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, the UK and the US, were unveiled at the London Games Conference last night.

The results show that more than half of gamers in the UK prefer to play video games on a console, with 35 percent preferring to play games on their computer instead. Of these numbers, 7 percent of console gamers said that they would buy a game or additional levels for a game directly through their console instead of going to the shops. This doubles to 14 percent for PC gamers.

Nineteen percent of respondents said they played games on their mobile phones, of which 44 percent download new games straight to their phone.

According to the Daily Telegraph, this is quite concerning for video game trailers, as stores usually recoup losses from game console sales by bundling them with a selection of games. With more and more titles becoming available directly from the console maker's online stores, this is becoming more difficult.

Industry insiders cite the recent price cuts on the PSP Go handheld console, which uses digital distribution only, as evidence of game downloads hurting profit margins.

Google to introduce a Google Wave app store

Google's upcoming 'Google Wave' communication platform is an interesting one; it's currently in testing, but it's arguably one of the most discussed online services this year. It's now been announced that it will even be getting its own app store, to help provide some more functionality.

According to The Next Web, the app store was announced at the Google Technology User Group meeting in London earlier, stating that, "an extension store is planned where developers would be able to display and charge for apps." This app store would help provide a bit of momentum for the service upon its public release, and it would be of benefit to developers also. Lars Resmussen, the engineer behind the concept of Wave, stated recently, "We'll almost certainly build a store… so many developers have asked us to build a marketplace - and we might do a revenue-sharing arrangement." It's known already that the company will make Google Wave's API public, so people can develop their own software based on it, and having a dedicated app store will obviously help keep everything contained in one place.

At the same meeting, it was noted that Google will not build a dedicated iPhone or Android Wave app any time in the near future, but instead will work to improve the mobile web interface; this'll allow them to update the service at any time, rather than submit a new app version for approval to Apple (providing its the iPhone app in question here).

Google Wave is certainly showing promise, but only upon public release will we truly know how well it'll fare in the real world.

VMware Fusion hits version 3.0

Want to run Windows side-by-side with Mac OS X on your Intel Mac? VMware Fusion just released a major update putting the software at version 3.0 and there's a lot of fixes and changes that make it worthy of checking out.

Those who have used VMware Fusion in the past know that it has had its share of hiccups with earlier versions, but most seem to have been ironed out in the latest release. Along with fixes, version 3.0 includes a performance boost making the overall experience more snappy and up to twice as fast when resuming from a suspended virtual machine. They also optimized it for Snow Leopard, utilizing the new operating system's advanced architecture with a 64-bit core engine and native support for the 64-bit kernel. The latest version also supports high-end 3D graphics using OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3, enabling gamers to play the latest Windows games on their Mac.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

Probably the best thing about the latest VMware Fusion is the ability to share content in your Windows environment with what you already have on your Mac. This means that you can pull in images, music, and documents from folders in the Mac Finder into your Windows environment. Even better, you can open Windows files from the Mac Finder and have them boot up in Windows on VMware Fusion automatically. Another avenue of access is the always-on Applications menu found in the Mac Menubar that lets you start up Windows apps in VMware Fusion even when the program isn't running.

Launch Windows apps directly from the Mac Menubar

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

In our testing we loaded up Windows 7 on VMware Fusion and most everything worked as advertised. We found some graphics issues like strange graphical artifacts showing up onscreen in certain cases. But overall, we were able to run Windows 7 fairly smoothly and use many of the new features without incident. Overall, with the addition of more features to make switching between the two operating systems less of a hassle and the affordable price tag of $79.99, Mac users who need a Windows environment will appreciate everything VMware fusion has to offer.

Keeps Windows 7 clean with System Mechanic 9

"Good" is always what you want to see when it comes to the state of your system, isn't it?

(Credit: Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)

You get a new computer and it runs great. However, after a while, things start to get more and more sluggish. This is true for all operating systems, including those running the all new and shiny Windows 7.

That is because, other than user errors (such as misuse, viruses, spyware, accidental file deletion, harmful changes to the Registry and system settings, and so on), the OS doesn't take good care of itself. It collects and store junks from the Internet. It doesn't completely remove remnants of unwanted applications. Its Registry keeps getting more and more bloated with residual settings, and so on and so forth. All of these result in system clutter that over time slows down the machine.

This is when a cleanup software, like System Mechanic from Iolo, comes in handy.

I tried version 9.0.3 of the software recently, as it's the first I found that works with Windows 7 64-bit (the software itself is 32-bit, however) and it seemed to work well, though not perfectly.

The software has a nice, intuitive interface that shows off all the things it can do. And there are a lot of them: from fixing Registry errors, cleaning up junk files, and optimizing system settings, to handling more serious problems such as security risks and backing up Registry files. Novice users can get all of that done at once or automatically taken care of via the software's ActiveCare feature.

I generally keep my computer pretty clean, but System Mechanic still found almost 100 issues with the computer's Registry. While the computer didn't seem to be noticeably faster after the cleanup operation, it did boot faster and most of all, I felt like it was cleaner. Maybe that's the psychological effect.

What I truly like about the software, however, is its set of comprehensive tools that allow advanced users to tweak the settings of the computer or to take care of a particular task. For example, the Configure Windows Startup tool shows the list of applications and services that automatically start with the computer and allows for disabling or removing them individually. This is a handy tool that replaces the "Software Explorer" part that Microsoft has taken out of the Windows Defender in Windows 7. There are also many other useful tools.

System Mechanic does have its own quirks, however. The most noticeable is the fact that it doesn't recognize most current antivirus software, such as AVG Anti-Virus, Microsoft Security Essential, or Zone Alarm, and kept telling me I need to have one installed. This is probably because Iolo wants to coerce you into buying the Professional version of the software that also incorporates a virus scanner. The second thing is when you do a "Deep System analysis," which can take a while, the process can't be canceled. So make sure you do this when you have time.

Other than that, System Mechanic 9.0.3 is definitely worth a try and you can do that for free. The software comes with 30-day full-function free trial. After that, $39.95 includes a one-year subscription to Iolo Tune-up Definition updates.

A tale of two iPhone puzzle games

Connected's pipe-arranging puzzles are like potato chips: Bet you can't play just one.

A few weeks ago, I received e-mails from two developers within the space of about two hours. Each was pitching a new, "totally unique" puzzle game, and would I like to review them?

Now, I'm a sucker for puzzlers, especially on the iPhone, but the App Store is already teeming with them--each one claiming to be "original," "addictive," "brain-teasing," and so on. How truly unique could either of these newcomers be?

The first one, Connected, instantly reminded me of countless lay-the-pipe-before-the-water-escapes games--until I started playing it.

Connected does involve pipes, but here you're not fighting the clock (or the water). Instead, you merely have to figure out the proper arrangement of preselected pieces, which can be moved but not rotated.

It's a bit like Traffic Jam, but damn if it doesn't manage to be original, challenging, and insidiously addictive. With each level I somehow managed to complete, I told myself, "Just one more."

Add to it an elegant, simple interface and you've got 99 cents extremely well-spent.

The other game, Wriggle, also costs 99 cents--but there's a try-before-you-buy free version as well.

Great for kids but fun for anybody, Wriggle puts a great twist on block-sliding puzzles.

At first glance, Wriggle looks like a kids game--but don't let that fool you. While kids will undoubtedly enjoy the colorful, smiley-faced worms, there's plenty of challenge here for all ages.

Your goal is to help the blue worm escape the maze in as few moves as possible. This is done by dragging the heads and/or tails of the various worms that stand in his way.

Again, you can see elements of Traffic Jam, but that game doesn't go around corners. Wriggle does, and, like Connected, it comes across as a wholly unique kind of puzzle.

Wriggle also offers a bit more replay value, with four difficulty levels and the option of replaying any puzzle to see if you can win in fewer moves. You can even tweet your progress, if you're into that kind of thing.

Initially, I judged both games by their covers (make that screenshots), and that was a mistake. Connected and Wriggle are perfectly priced and perfectly entertaining. I highly recommend both.

Seen any unique puzzle games lately? Are there any you just can't put down? Share your puzzle faves in the comments. In the meantime, check out these five perfect puzzle games for the iPhone.

Firefox 3.5.4 closes security holes

Mozilla released Firefox 3.5.4 for Windows, Mac, and Linux on Tuesday to patch six critical security holes and some other problems.

The new browser version also improves stability and fixes a problem with clearing browser history, according to the release notes. Mozilla updated the corresponding version of its earlier browser to fix some of the same security problems by issuing Firefox 3.0.15.

The six vulnerabilities potentially could let remote attackers take over the computer by running their own software on the machine. For details, check the Firefox security site.

Meanwhile, Mozilla is on the brink of releasing the first beta of Firefox 3.6, a version that will add the Personas feature for a customizable look. Mozilla, trying to move to a faster Firefox release cycle, is debating whether to issue 3.6 as a minor release that arrives automatically or a major release that people must actively download.

Also Tuesday, Mozilla released SeaMonkey 2.0, which combines the Firefox browser and Thunderbird e-mail software into an all-in-one package. It uses Firefox 3.5.4.

A free, social 'AddressBook' for Android

(Credit: Asurion)

If the list of features added to the forthcoming Android 2.0 operating system (code-named Eclair) leaves you drooling, there is a way to get a taste of one of the goodies coming in Google's Eclair release.

No, we're not sending you a Motorola Droid (live review).

Rather, Asurion's free AddressBook beta, newly released in the Android Market, is a socially connected alternative to Android's native address book. It shares a similar focus with Android 2.0's Quick Contact concept, and with other social address books, namely, that of being able to quickly communicate with a person in multiple ways from your contact list.

While Android 2.0 will offer a pop-up ticker that lets you e-mail, text, or call, AddressBook, which was announced at Demo 2009 (story), can also get you socializing with friends via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and others. AddressBook doesn't include a widget at this point, but it does get you inside social networks.

You pair a friend with their social networking account by setting up plug-ins, or MixIns, as Asurion calls them. Setup takes some patience. You'll first select the social networks you want to incorporate through the Market screen. After downloading each separate MixIn as its own Android APK file, you'll need to install it, then log in. If you ask AddressBook to automatically match contacts with social-network accounts, it'll take a few minutes longer. In this case, the wait is worth it, especially if you have a sizable Gmail contact list to begin with.

The Facebook plug-in can also fill in your address book with Facebook profile pictures. Facebook integration was good, but not perfect, though you'll have the option to review matches. However, we missed a few incorrect associations, which we found difficult to fix after the fact.

In addition to following and contacting friends, the AddressBook application can also add a business listing, like your favorite coffee shop chain. Having added the listing, you can then plot it on a map.

As with the Android 1.6 default address book, the AddressBook application includes a dialer, history, contact list, and favorites. While it doesn't replace the Android's address book, Asurion's app does integrate with it, using the Android call screens and honoring edits between Android's native address book and the AddressBook application.

The AddressBook application has some fairly large holes. In addition to the unintuitive editing of mismatched contacts, the application doesn't support landscape mode and it force-closed after we integrated Facebook details. AddressBook's focus is decidedly on reaching people and not on managing personal profiles; we didn't see ways to update your own status in this app, for instance.

As for the future of the young application in the face of Android 2.0, Nancy Benovich Gilby, Asurion Mobile Applications' VP of Engineering remains positive. "What [Google is] doing with Contacts," Gilby wrote in an e-mail, "will give us more power and make it easier to provide deeper integration of content and services."

It will be interesting to see how AddressBook's social address book plays out once Android 2.0 becomes more widely available. In the meantime, if you've tried the app, share your thoughts in the comments.

Get Norton Internet Security 2010 for $9.99

The highly praised NIS 2010 can be yours for $9.99.

(Credit: Symantec)

Got security? Forget all the system-hosing nightmares Norton put you through in years past; the company's Norton Internet Security 2010 suite improves on the already seriously improved NIS 2009.

Fry's is currently offering NIS 2010 3-User Edition for $9.99 shipped. Unfortunately--and this is really unfortunate--that's after a pair of mail-in rebates [PDF and PDF] totaling $50.

I'll be the first to admit it: I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel today. The pickings, they be slim.

I mean, I don't particularly care for security software. Don't use it, in fact. And I know how most of you hate rebates.

On the other hand, NIS 2010 is already being touted as one of the top security suites, as evidenced by the reviews by CNET, PC Magazine, and even Amazon customers.

And normally it would run you $59.99 (or $69.99 if purchased directly from Symantec). Yeah, the rebates are a hassle, but it's hard to sneeze at saving $50-60 on something you're probably going to buy anyway.

Well? Worthwhile deal, or is it ruined by the rebates? For the record, you can still score IOBit Security 360 Pro for free if you're really trying to keep it cheap.

10 tips and tricks for Windows 7

These 10 videos from CNET TV cover a range of useful tips for Windows 7 users, including how to make a system repair disc, how to customize the Start menu, what some of the best hot keys for the operating system are, and more.

There's also advice on how to upgrade from either Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7, how to fix Ethernet driver problems in VMWare, how to burn an ISO directly from the newly enhanced Windows Explorer, and how to get to the jump list from your left mouse button.

Windows 7's calculator is packed with features. Who knew?

(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)

Some of my personal faves we haven't yet turned into videos. Desktop junkies will love that you can now set up a desktop wallpaper slideshow. From the desktop, right-click and choose Personalize, or go to Appearance and Personalization in the Control Panel. Click Desktop Background at the bottom, and change the picture location to the folder you want. Alternatively, you can choose images from across multiple photos. Unfortunately, the Aero Glass taskbar color won't change to complement each new slide, but you can set it to rotate images as often as every 10 seconds.

I can't vouch for its efficacy, but another trick is that Windows 7 includes a monitor color management tool which photographers and graphic designers are sure to appreciate. You can get to it either through the Screen Resolution window's Advanced options, then clicking Color Management, or going to Run and typing DCCW.

If you right-click on a program or a shortcut launcher, you can now pin it to either the Start menu or the Taskbar, which should save you from having to run the program to get it onto the taskbar. Another functional redo has been visited upon the Calculator. There are new views for Programmers and Statistics, and there are new features for quickly doing unit conversion, date differentials, and using templates to create customized finance calculations.

There are far more Windows 7 tips and tricks than these, of course. If you have a favorite, tell us in the comments below.

Twitter app Brizzly adds Facebook, too

A look at the Facebook news feed in Brizzly. Check out the buttons at the top to toggle back and forth between Facebook and Twitter.

(Credit: Brizzly)

Brizzly, a Twitter client that's still private beta, on Wednesday added the ability for members to follow their Facebook contacts as well through the Web-based service (unlike many of its competitors, Brizzly has opted to not take the form of a downloadable desktop app)--and to post Brizzly updates back to their Facebook profiles. For those of you who have Brizzly accounts, it should be live later on Wednesday if it isn't already.

It's a natural move: Most Twitter clients, like TweetDeck and Seesmic Desktop, also support updates from Facebook to one degree or another. Brizzly, created by San Francisco-based Thing Labs and spearheaded by Blogger and Google veteran Jason Shellen, makes a Twitter feed look quite a bit like a Facebook news feed by expanding image and video links from services like TwitPic and YouTube.

Through Facebook Connect, Brizzly can pull in your news feed so that you can toggle back and forth between a Twitter view and a Facebook view. But it's a little bit limited for now: currently, it's just the revamped "top stories" news feed, not the live-streaming feed that had been Facebook's default until this week.

Of note: when you've clicked on Facebook view in Brizzly, the Brizzly bear mascot is wearing a Facebook-logo sweatshirt and waving a pennant. Now that's just plain cute.

UPDATE: We hear the bear's name is Phineas.