Shopping on Craigslist is awesome, but sometimes it can be a pain to find the high-quality goods you're looking for. The hidden gems tend to be buried between listings for worn-down junk, and in many cases, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. To solve this problem, the new Mint Market app promises a more targeted experience.

Much like Craigslist, Mint Market (download: Android | iPhone) covers everything from clothing and furniture to auto parts and event tickets. The difference, however, is that sellers on Mint Market only list items in new or like-new condition. What's more, they can mark their items with a "Mint Condition" stamp to indicate that they are no more than 60-days-old.

The first thing that struck me about Mint Market was its interface. While it may not be the most easy-to-use thing in the world, it's certainly visually attractive. The Home screen features a long, vertical stream of listings, with each item displaying a large photo, name, and price. This layout makes it easy to scroll through items quickly without straining your eyes. By contrast, the same cannot be said about Craigslist or any of its third-party apps, which are, for the most part, text-based. To make things eas... [Read more]

'Edit and RT' returns to TweetDeck.

Twitter finally has begun to update TweetDeck, with a major release today. It restores some features that had been pared away during December's beak-to-tail-feather overhaul, and brings a couple of new ones along for the ride, too.

TweetDeck 1.3 (download for Windows and Mac) brings back media previews, list management, and the previous retweeting style. It also introduces the Activity and Mentions columns to the desktop client, pulling it into parity with the Web site and mobile apps.

In its blog post announcing the update, Twitter revealed that it replaced the "Quote" retweet option with the prior style, "Edit and RT," because of user complaints. You now have the option of the newer "Retweet" style, or the original "RT @username:" format.

The return of inline media previews means that you can watch video and view pictures without having the link open in your browser. Meanwhile, the return of list management means that you can once again create, edit, and delete lists. It's been enhanced... [Read more]

Will RIM start developing iOS apps?

Hmm. Is Research In Motion (RIM) getting ready to dip its toes into Apple's swimming pool?

RIM posted a LinkedIn job listing seeking a "Senior iOS Mobile Developer." According to the listing, the person will "create exciting enterprise applications for distribution on the iOS platform," and must know how to build and deploy "complex applications for iPhone and iPad devices." The candidate must also come with a few apps they've developed and brought to the App Store.

There was a time when RIM wouldn't even consider bringing applications to another operating system. But as its mobile market share has slid, it has realized that in order to survive, it needs to at least start playing nice with other platforms. In November, RIM announced BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, an offering designed to provide mobile device management services to companies using iOS and Android.

Related stories

• RIM BlackBerry services open up to iOS, Android
• ... [Read more]

Angry Birds Space looks gorgeous and delivers on its promise of compelling new gameplay.

I'll be honest: I haven't flung a bird at a pig in months.

When Angry Birds first flew on the scene (way back in 2009!), I couldn't get enough. But as with most things, the novelty soon wore off. Even Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Rio were just variations on the same theme, and I eventually stopped paying attention--even when Rovio pushed out new levels.

So when the developer announced Angry Birds Space last month, I had to wonder: would pigs in space rekindle my love affair with slingshots and ornithology?

Today I found out. Angry Birds Space is now available for Android, iOS, PC, and Mac. Is it any good?

Oh, yes.

Angry Birds Space feels at once familiar and fresh. Unlike the previous sequels, which were pretty much the same gam... [Read more]

Start8 combines the classic Start button with access to the Metro UI.

People who just can't work in Windows 8 without the classic start button may want to check out a free app called Start8.

Designed by the folks at Stardock, Start8 tries to merge the convenience of the start button with the functionality of the new Metro environment. As such, it moves beyond the standard start menu with some unique features of its own.

You can download Start8 from its dedicated Web page and install it in the current beta, aka Consumer Preview, edition of Windows 8. Installation is quick and simple. After the app is installed, you'll see the familiar start menu orb appear in the lower left corner of the desktop.

By default, clicking the orb displays not the traditional two-pane start menu but rather the Metro Apps screen and a search pane where you can launch any installed app and search for apps, settings, and files. Moving your mouse to the lower left hot corner displays a thumbnail of the Metro start screen but clicking it opens the same apps screen and search pane. So in essence, you never have to even see the Metro start screen.

But as someone who appreciates certain aspects of the Metro screen, such as Live Tiles, I still want the option to display i... [Read more]

Chrome beat Internet Explorer one day this week.

Internet Explorer is still the world's top browser, but for a day over the weekend, it feel to second place.

According to Stat Counter, which analyzes browser market share worldwide, Chrome was the most-used browser globally on March 18, just edging out Internet Explorer for top billing. The browser was put over the top by strong usage in India, Russia, and Brazil, Stat Counter said.

But unfortunately for Chrome, it was a short-lived victory: by March 19, Internet Explorer was back on top.

"While it is only one day, this is a milestone," StatCounter CEO Aodhan Cullen said in a statement yesterday. "Whether Chrome can take the lead in the browser wars in the long term remains to be seen, however the trend towards Chrome usage at weekends is undeniable. At weekends, when people are free to choose what browser to use, many of them are selecting Chrome in preference to Internet Explorer."

Related stories

• Chrome scores a victory in the browser wars
• Browser momentum: Chrome has it, IE doesn't
• ... [Read more]

Angry Birds has reached the final frontier in the newest twist on the popular game dubbed Angry Birds Space.

Launching today, the new game finds the birds sucked through a wormhole into another galaxy where as usual they have to shoot down their piggly nemeses. But in a nod to actual physics, Angry Birds Space taps into the gravity in force around interstellar objects to help the birds nail their targets.

Stuck on the surface of a moon, the birds have to land on the other side to bring down the pigs. Sending the birds off on the familiar slingshot displays a series of dots pinpointing their orbit, helping you better aim. And if the bird misses its mark the first time, the gravity of the moon will keep it in orbit, giving it another chance of landing on the right pig. You can even make trick shots in space that wouldn't be otherwise be possible.

Beyond the first several levels, other surprises and secrets await, says maker Rovio, which has outfitted the new game with 60 levels and other content available through in-app purchases or successful gameplay. A special Danger Zone also is in store if you manage to blast past the first couple of sections. And a Coming Soon area means that Rovio will be offering free updates down the road.

Like other editions of Angry Birds, the new game is definitely addictive. Ca... [Read more]