Magento CE Version 1.6.1.0 Is Launched
With every new Magento release Magento developers and online retailers may take the Magento stores they create or run to a higher level of functionality, usability and efficiency. And this news is just for them: Magento CE Version 1.6.1.0 Stable is now available. This is a security release and therefore you can upgrade your Magento stores immediately. However, be sure to backup your database to avoid data loss or any other issue.
Please read the release notes for Magento CE Version 1.6.1.0 if you want to learn about the changes and improvements to the Magento software.
We hope you will enjoy using the latest edition of the most powerful eCommerce platform, and if you find any bug, please report it in the bug tracker.
Magento Templates without Product Images on Homepages
It’s hard to imagine an online store without product images because a product image is the main factor which affects the purchasing decision. However, is it necessary to show product images on homepages? Some designers believe it’s a must, but some prefer homepages with no product images, price tags or buy buttons. They use huge images, image sliders or banners which introduce discounts and special offers instead. In some cases, Flash animated enter pages come into play to provide a richer user experience for customers.
A homepage is the first page customers see when they visit an online store. So, online retailers should keep the homepages of their eCommerce sites fresh and welcoming. And if you are a retailer or a web designer and you are looking for a Magento template with no product images on the homepage, more than likely you will find it here.
Please keep in mind, the following Magento templates are so different because they come from different companies, but we hope you don’t mind this because this way you have the biggest variety possible.
Magento Template #1
Who Wants to Win a $100 Google AdWords Coupon?
Google AdWords is a great way to drive traffic to your websites and online stores. If you would like to get started with Google AdWords we’ll tell you how to receive a $100 AdWords coupon for free.
TemplateMonster, a web design company, is now offering a good deal to online merchants: everyone who buys an eCommerce template (whether a Magento template, osCommerce template, PrestaShop template or a Zen Cart template) gets a chance to win one of the 5 Adwords coupons worth $100 each. The 5 lucky winners will be chosen at random on October 24th, 2011.
Ok, here are the steps you need to take to win the $100 AdWords coupon:
1. Copy the code “100adwords”, it will save you 15% on eCommcerce templates
2. Visit TemplateMonster.com and choose the Magento template or any other eCommerce template you’d like to buy
3. Click Buy, then scroll to the bottom of the page and enter the discount code “100adwords”.
Note: using the code is a must. If you don’t use it at checkout, you will not enter the lottery.
Please hurry up, as the offer is only valid until October 23rd 2011.
One more thing to be mentioned here is that the deal is only open for new advertisers with billing address in the US or Canada. So, if you’ve never advertised your products and services on Google, here is an opportunity for you to try it free.
Magento Templates You Will Need When Building Clothing Stores
Most of the online stores you will find on the net are clothing stores. So if you have decided to enter this eCommerce business, you should come up with an online store that will be competitive in terms of design, user experience and usability, not to mention the price and the quality of the products you will be offering.
If you want your business to be powered by the Magento platform, then you will need to find a nice design for your online store. And here comes the question – if you have time and money for a custom design, or you prefer a more affordable and fast solution such as a Magento Template. Let’s say you choose the second option. Then we’re just in time with a list of Magento templates that you can use when building clothing stores.
Would you prefer to have a choice of Magento templates? Not a problem at all. Simply scroll down and you will see templates from different companies including TemplateMonster, Algozone and Templates-Master, MagikCommerce and EMthemes, SilverThemes and Magento-Themes.jextn.
Magento Template #1
New and Improved Magento Connect is Now Available
As you know, Magento Connect is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell Magento templates, Magento extensions, and everything one needs to build Magento stores and improve them.
Recently Magento Connect has been enhanced to provide a better experience for Magento users and Magento developers. Now let’s see what to expect from the updated Magento Connect:
- the new Magento Connect is offering an improved navigation and search and therefore allows you to find the extensions you need faster than before;
- all Magento extensions which are distributed through Magento Connect are now available to Magento Go merchants;
- moreover, Magento Go merchants may take advantage of Trusted Extensions (these are the extensions which proved to be reliable and secure). This feature will soon be available to all Magento users. So if you’re a Magento developer and you’re submitting your extension to Magento Connect, be sure to apply for a trusted status
- with enhanced listings Magento developers can provide complete and detailed information about the extensions they are offering through Magento Connect
We hope Magento merchants and Magento developers will enjoy the new and improved Magento Connect and will find all the extensions they need there.
Magento Templates With Integrated Social Media Icons
Whilst there are a lot of Magento Templates available online, only a few of them come with built-in social media icons. We believe such templates deserve special attention because they enable users build Magento sites which are social media friendly.
So get ready to explore some outstanding Magento Templates now. These templates can be used for different purposes, but each of them includes a set of social media icons to help your eCommerce site be connected to social networks. Whether you choose one Magento Template or the other you will build a Magento website where readers can click social media icons and share your content with anyone on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, etc.
And the last thing to be mentioned here is that the following Magento Templates were created by a number of web design companies, including TemplateMonster, Algozone and Templates-Master, emThemes, Web-Experiment and CreativeThemes. In other words, here you’ll find the biggest collection of Magento Templates with integrated social media icons.
Magento Template #1
Magento Templates Which Look Funny
On this blog we had hundreds of articles about various Magento Templates: bright and clean; free and premium; corporate and personal, but this time we’d like to take a different view and share a list of Magento Templates which look really funny. Yes, a funny design is all what matters. No other features or functionality will be discussed.
Although we did a long search, we failed to find more than 7 Magento Themes like this on the net and this fact makes them even more valuable. And of course a special Thank You goes to the companies offering funny Magento Templates which are TemplateMonster, eCommerce-Themes, Web-Experiment and CaxidTemplates.
Another thing to be mentioned here is that the following Magento Themes may be used for building different types of online stores such as toy shops, gift stores, clothing stores, etc. So not only can you take them as inspiration, but use for your future eCommerce sites as well.
Magento Template #1
Magento Preview Version CE 1.6.1.0-rc1 Released
The Magento team announced the availability of Magento Preview Version CE 1.6.1.0-rc1, but this is not a security release and that’s why it is not to be used on live Magento sites. The main aim of this release is to let developers and users understand what features will come with the next secure Magento release. Actually, “‘rc’ suffix means that the release is getting closer to being stable. It is not recommended to be used in a production environment but all features and functionality are locked in for this version. Code and API might change slightly to accommodate for bugs or issues that are found in this release.”
As for Magento Preview Version CE 1.6.1.0-rc1, you are welcome to test how it works and share your feedback and ideas. If it happens so that you find any bug, please report it in the bug tracker.
As usual a new release brings new features and enhancements, including Updated PayflowLink HSS user interface in checkout, Two-step password reset flow, etc. For a detailed list of improvements please see release notes.
As for the download part, you can either download this Magento Version from the official site or via SVN. Also, you can get the Magento Preview Version CE 1.6.1.0-rc1 through the Connect Manager.






