Sony has just pushed its latest system software update for the PS4. The latest update is Version 1.75. The update adds a few minor patches, but the big news is that it came with support for 3D Blu-ray playback. This is a feature that many people have been screaming for since the console was released. Sony has beating the Xbox One with this update as Microsoft are also adding 3D Blu-ray support in their next update (expected in August)
This new feature means that those with a compatible 3D TV, will now be able to play their collection of high definition 3D Blu-ray discs that have been sat around looking sorry for themselves.
Interesting to note, Sony’s previous model, the PlayStation 3, is already capable of playing 3D Blu-ray discs. In fact it has been capable of doing so for some time now.
The update also has added an improvement in sound quality, which affects when films or TV shows are played back at one-and-a-half times the normal speed. A great feature of the PS4 is that users are also now capable of setting their PS4s to download featured content automatically when the console is in standby mode.
The following is a Change list that the update contains:
Playback of Blu-ray 3D is now supported.
Sound quality has been improved during 1.5x playback with Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD videos.
System messages previously displayed on the top-right corner of the screen are now displayed on the top-left corner of the screen.
[Featured Content] has been added to (Settings) > [System] > [Automatic Downloads and Uploads]. When this setting is enabled, featured content from the PlayStation Store is automatically downloaded while the PS4 system is either powered on or in standby mode. To download while in standby mode, go to (Settings) > [Power Save Settings] > [Set Functions Available in Standby Mode], and then turn on [Connect to the Internet].
What do you guys think? Is Sony way to late in the game for 3D Blu-Ray playback? Will beating Microsoft to the table have any effect on sales?
Sony has just pushed its latest system software update for the PS4. The latest update is Version 1.75. The update adds a few minor patches, but the big news is that it came with support for 3D Blu-ray playback. This is a feature that many people have been screaming for since the console was released. Sony has beating the Xbox One with this update as Microsoft are also adding 3D Blu-ray support in their next update (expected in August)
This new feature means that those with a compatible 3D TV, will now be able to play their collection of high definition 3D Blu-ray discs that have been sat around looking sorry for themselves.
Interesting to note, Sony’s previous model, the PlayStation 3, is already capable of playing 3D Blu-ray discs. In fact it has been capable of doing so for some time now.
The update also has added an improvement in sound quality, which affects when films or TV shows are played back at one-and-a-half times the normal speed. A great feature of the PS4 is that users are also now capable of setting their PS4s to download featured content automatically when the console is in standby mode.
The following is a Change list that the update contains:
Playback of Blu-ray 3D is now supported.
Sound quality has been improved during 1.5x playback with Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD videos.
System messages previously displayed on the top-right corner of the screen are now displayed on the top-left corner of the screen.
[Featured Content] has been added to (Settings) > [System] > [Automatic Downloads and Uploads]. When this setting is enabled, featured content from the PlayStation Store is automatically downloaded while the PS4 system is either powered on or in standby mode. To download while in standby mode, go to (Settings) > [Power Save Settings] > [Set Functions Available in Standby Mode], and then turn on [Connect to the Internet].
What do you guys think? Is Sony way to late in the game for 3D Blu-Ray playback? Will beating Microsoft to the table have any effect on sales?
Ideum launches version 2 of its GestureWorks Gameplay virtual controller app. With Android support you will be able to use your Android smartphone or tablet to play PC games, rather than a gamepad or keyboard.
The great thing is you will still be able to customize the controls for various titles, so you can optimize your gaming experience for all your favorite games. The updated app also supports more graphics standards, meaning that more games are compatible with the software.
The full version of the Gameplay app has quite a hefty price of $14.99 but when you consider what you get, it’s actually not that bad. Any friends who want to join you for a multiplayer session won’t need to bring any dedicated hardware because up to four Android devices can be connected at any one time.
You can download GestureWorks Gameplay now from Steam.
Ideum launches version 2 of its GestureWorks Gameplay virtual controller app. With Android support you will be able to use your Android smartphone or tablet to play PC games, rather than a gamepad or keyboard.
The great thing is you will still be able to customize the controls for various titles, so you can optimize your gaming experience for all your favorite games. The updated app also supports more graphics standards, meaning that more games are compatible with the software.
The full version of the Gameplay app has quite a hefty price of $14.99 but when you consider what you get, it’s actually not that bad. Any friends who want to join you for a multiplayer session won’t need to bring any dedicated hardware because up to four Android devices can be connected at any one time.
You can download GestureWorks Gameplay now from Steam.
Samsung has launched another Android 4.4 KitKat-based smartphone in India, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus. The device is now officially listed with 'Notify Me' option by the company on its online store carrying a price tag of Rs. 7,335.
An upgrade of sorts on the Samsung Galaxy Star 2, the listing of the Star 2 Plus with model number SM-G350E was earlier tipped by a Mumbai-based retailer as Galaxy Star Advance with launch price of Rs. 7,299.
According to the listed specifications, the dual-SIM Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus will run Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 4.3-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) TFT display. The smartphone packs 1.2GHz dual-core (unspecified chipset) processor coupled with 512MB of RAM. It sports a 3-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, while there is no front facing camera onboard. The 4GB of inbuilt storage on Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus can be expanded further up to 32GB (via microSD card).
Connectivity options on the device include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The Galaxy Star 2 Plus packs an 1800mAh battery. It measures 129.7x65.9x9.4mm and weighs 138 grams. The smartphone will be available in Black and White colour options.
Previously, Samsung had silently launched the Galaxy Core 2 smartphone in India via estore at a price of Rs. 11,900. The Galaxy Core 2 (also known as the Galaxy Core II) is the successor to the popular Galaxy Core launched in June last year at Rs. 15,690.
The Samsung Galaxy Core 2 supports dual-SIM and runs Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box with the company's TouchWiz Essence UI on top. It comes with a 4.5-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) TFT display. It is powered by a quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz coupled with 768MB of RAM.
Samsung has launched another Android 4.4 KitKat-based smartphone in India, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus. The device is now officially listed with 'Notify Me' option by the company on its online store carrying a price tag of Rs. 7,335.
An upgrade of sorts on the Samsung Galaxy Star 2, the listing of the Star 2 Plus with model number SM-G350E was earlier tipped by a Mumbai-based retailer as Galaxy Star Advance with launch price of Rs. 7,299.
According to the listed specifications, the dual-SIM Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus will run Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 4.3-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) TFT display. The smartphone packs 1.2GHz dual-core (unspecified chipset) processor coupled with 512MB of RAM. It sports a 3-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, while there is no front facing camera onboard. The 4GB of inbuilt storage on Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus can be expanded further up to 32GB (via microSD card).
Connectivity options on the device include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The Galaxy Star 2 Plus packs an 1800mAh battery. It measures 129.7x65.9x9.4mm and weighs 138 grams. The smartphone will be available in Black and White colour options.
Previously, Samsung had silently launched the Galaxy Core 2 smartphone in India via estore at a price of Rs. 11,900. The Galaxy Core 2 (also known as the Galaxy Core II) is the successor to the popular Galaxy Core launched in June last year at Rs. 15,690.
The Samsung Galaxy Core 2 supports dual-SIM and runs Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box with the company's TouchWiz Essence UI on top. It comes with a 4.5-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) TFT display. It is powered by a quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz coupled with 768MB of RAM.
The much-anticipated successor of the Moto X, expected to be called the Moto X+1, has been the subject of numerous leaks for a while now, and the latest piece to hit the Internet are some purported images of the device, as well as a few accompanying specifications.
The leaked images are claimed to be of a "near-final prototype" of the anticipated Moto X+1, and show a device with a similar design to the Moto X. The device features wood-finished back panel, with a camera in the centre above a Motorola logo. Previously, serial tipster @evleaks had suggested 25 colour options for the Moto X+1 in five categories - Cool, Neutral, Warm, Wood and Leather.
The latest leak (via Android Police) also tips the display seen in the alleged Moto X+1 images is 5.1-inches large. The front also has a speaker grill at the bottom of the display, like the Moto E. The Moto X+1's display was earlier tipped to be a full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) one.
The alleged Moto X+1 seen in the images features metallic side panels, claimed to made of aluminium by the tipster. The device in the images features a 3.5mm audio jack on top, along with the power and volume controls on the right panel, consistent with Motorola's current series of smartphones. Also seen, is that the SIM card slot has been shifted to the top, alongside the audio jack.
While previous leaked images had indicated the Moto X+1 might not come with a rear flash, the latest leak shows two small circular dots on the mounting surrounding the camera lens, claimed to be dual-LED flash.
So far, other rumoured speculations for the anticipated Moto X+1 include a Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM; a 12-megapixel front camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, 32GB of built-in storage; and a 2900mAh battery.
The much-anticipated successor of the Moto X, expected to be called the Moto X+1, has been the subject of numerous leaks for a while now, and the latest piece to hit the Internet are some purported images of the device, as well as a few accompanying specifications.
The leaked images are claimed to be of a "near-final prototype" of the anticipated Moto X+1, and show a device with a similar design to the Moto X. The device features wood-finished back panel, with a camera in the centre above a Motorola logo. Previously, serial tipster @evleaks had suggested 25 colour options for the Moto X+1 in five categories - Cool, Neutral, Warm, Wood and Leather.
The latest leak (via Android Police) also tips the display seen in the alleged Moto X+1 images is 5.1-inches large. The front also has a speaker grill at the bottom of the display, like the Moto E. The Moto X+1's display was earlier tipped to be a full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) one.
The alleged Moto X+1 seen in the images features metallic side panels, claimed to made of aluminium by the tipster. The device in the images features a 3.5mm audio jack on top, along with the power and volume controls on the right panel, consistent with Motorola's current series of smartphones. Also seen, is that the SIM card slot has been shifted to the top, alongside the audio jack.
While previous leaked images had indicated the Moto X+1 might not come with a rear flash, the latest leak shows two small circular dots on the mounting surrounding the camera lens, claimed to be dual-LED flash.
So far, other rumoured speculations for the anticipated Moto X+1 include a Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM; a 12-megapixel front camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, 32GB of built-in storage; and a 2900mAh battery.
Facebook does not allow you to delete all your messages at once. You have to click on each message thread and delete each of them individually. It might be a daunting task to delete your Facebook messages, especially if you have several hundreds of messages. Fortunately, there exist a few browser extensions that allow you to select all your sent or archived messages and delete them in one click.
3. You should notice a new button Delete ALL at the top. Clicking on this button will actually delete all your messages at once.
4. If you want to delete message threads individually, you can do so by clicking on the red cross next to each message.
Delete Facebook Message under Firefox
For Firefox users, you can use Delete Facebook Messages add-on, which is similar to the one for Chrome. You should see a new button called Delete Messages appear as shown below. In case it is not visible after installing this extension, press CTRL+ F5.
That’s all folks. I hope this simple trick might come in handy if in case you want to clear your Facebook messages in bulk.
Facebook does not allow you to delete all your messages at once. You have to click on each message thread and delete each of them individually. It might be a daunting task to delete your Facebook messages, especially if you have several hundreds of messages. Fortunately, there exist a few browser extensions that allow you to select all your sent or archived messages and delete them in one click.
3. You should notice a new button Delete ALL at the top. Clicking on this button will actually delete all your messages at once.
4. If you want to delete message threads individually, you can do so by clicking on the red cross next to each message.
Delete Facebook Message under Firefox
For Firefox users, you can use Delete Facebook Messages add-on, which is similar to the one for Chrome. You should see a new button called Delete Messages appear as shown below. In case it is not visible after installing this extension, press CTRL+ F5.
That’s all folks. I hope this simple trick might come in handy if in case you want to clear your Facebook messages in bulk.
There are quite a few laptop models available for less than Rs. 30,000 today and while performance will understandably be limited, many of them are still excellent value for money. There might not be much variance when it comes to internal components, but you can get these entry-level laptops in many shapes and sizes, with or without additional features that make them attractive for certain use case scenarios.
Choosing the right model is often about striking the right balance of compromises. For example, while you can get devices with screens ranging from 10 inches to 15.6 inches, you won't find any resolution higher than 1366x768. The more powerful models have up to Intel Core i3 processors, but tend cut corners in other ways, such as not including a licensed copy of Windows. There are also plenty of older models floating around at discounted rates, most of which you can safely avoid.
We'll help you navigate through the minefield of choices so you can buy the best budget laptop for your needs. Please note that prices fluctuate every day.
Best choice for students: Lenovo G50-70, Rs. 28,500 (approximate street price)
Students require flexibility and reliability, so our choice is the Lenovo G50-70 which sells for approximately Rs. 28,500 online (with a free bag, at some retailers). This model isn't the sleekest or lightest option by a mile, but it does come with an up-to-date fourth generation Intel Core i3 processor. There's 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, which should be enough for assignments, research, presentations, social media and a bit of casual entertainment too. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB 3.0 are standard. The G50-70 comes with FreeDOS, which is an advantage if you're planning to use Linux.
Best choice for work: HP 450, Rs. 29,990 (approximate street price)
This surprisingly affordable laptop is based on a mainstream Core i3-3110M CPU. This means it doesn't sacrifice performance for low power consumption and heat dissipation, but even so, it manages to pull off five hours of battery life. You get 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive which will come in handy for presentations, spreadsheets, communications and even some light work with graphics and multimedia. You or your office will have to pay extra for a Windows license though.
Best choice for home and entertainment: Dell Inspiron 15 3542, Rs. 28,890 (official online retail price)
The Dell Inspiron 15 is large enough for the family to gather around and comfortable enough for all ages and all uses. It has a relatively low-powered Intel Pentium processor, but everything else is absolutely standard for this price category, including the 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive. You'll be able to play basic online games, surf the Web, type out documents and chat with friends. The HDMI port makes it easy to hook this laptop up to a living-room TV so you can watch movies together and show off photos too. Windows 8.1 comes preloaded, meaning home and casual users will have no hassles setting up.
Best choice for portability: Dell Inspiron 11 3137, Rs. 26,990 (official online price)
This little laptop could easily be mistaken for a netbook, though it's a little more powerful than that. The Celeron 2995U CPU should be enough for most basic tasks but we wouldn't try anything more intensive than browsing the Web and editing simple documents on this laptop. Its main attraction is its weight - at only 1.45kg, you can easily toss the Inspiron 11 into a bag and take it everywhere you go. There's 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive but also, unexpectedly, a touchscreen. Windows 8.1 comes preloaded, so you can enjoy the touch-centric Modern UI apps too.
Best choice on a shoestring budget: Asus X550CA, Rs 25,750 (approximate street price)
If our Rs. 30,000 price ceiling is too high for you, there are a few ultra-budget options to consider as well. Both HP and Acer sell Chromebooks for around Rs. 22,000, but we think a full-fledged laptop is a better investment even if it comes with very weak components. Our choices is the Asus X550CA, which comes with a low-power but still modern Core i3-3217U processor, 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Of course there's a compromise - you'll have to use a free Linux distribution or buy your own copy of Windows. Still, this model offers solid value for money.
There are quite a few laptop models available for less than Rs. 30,000 today and while performance will understandably be limited, many of them are still excellent value for money. There might not be much variance when it comes to internal components, but you can get these entry-level laptops in many shapes and sizes, with or without additional features that make them attractive for certain use case scenarios.
Choosing the right model is often about striking the right balance of compromises. For example, while you can get devices with screens ranging from 10 inches to 15.6 inches, you won't find any resolution higher than 1366x768. The more powerful models have up to Intel Core i3 processors, but tend cut corners in other ways, such as not including a licensed copy of Windows. There are also plenty of older models floating around at discounted rates, most of which you can safely avoid.
We'll help you navigate through the minefield of choices so you can buy the best budget laptop for your needs. Please note that prices fluctuate every day.
Best choice for students: Lenovo G50-70, Rs. 28,500 (approximate street price)
Students require flexibility and reliability, so our choice is the Lenovo G50-70 which sells for approximately Rs. 28,500 online (with a free bag, at some retailers). This model isn't the sleekest or lightest option by a mile, but it does come with an up-to-date fourth generation Intel Core i3 processor. There's 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, which should be enough for assignments, research, presentations, social media and a bit of casual entertainment too. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB 3.0 are standard. The G50-70 comes with FreeDOS, which is an advantage if you're planning to use Linux.
Best choice for work: HP 450, Rs. 29,990 (approximate street price)
This surprisingly affordable laptop is based on a mainstream Core i3-3110M CPU. This means it doesn't sacrifice performance for low power consumption and heat dissipation, but even so, it manages to pull off five hours of battery life. You get 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive which will come in handy for presentations, spreadsheets, communications and even some light work with graphics and multimedia. You or your office will have to pay extra for a Windows license though.
Best choice for home and entertainment: Dell Inspiron 15 3542, Rs. 28,890 (official online retail price)
The Dell Inspiron 15 is large enough for the family to gather around and comfortable enough for all ages and all uses. It has a relatively low-powered Intel Pentium processor, but everything else is absolutely standard for this price category, including the 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive. You'll be able to play basic online games, surf the Web, type out documents and chat with friends. The HDMI port makes it easy to hook this laptop up to a living-room TV so you can watch movies together and show off photos too. Windows 8.1 comes preloaded, meaning home and casual users will have no hassles setting up.
Best choice for portability: Dell Inspiron 11 3137, Rs. 26,990 (official online price)
This little laptop could easily be mistaken for a netbook, though it's a little more powerful than that. The Celeron 2995U CPU should be enough for most basic tasks but we wouldn't try anything more intensive than browsing the Web and editing simple documents on this laptop. Its main attraction is its weight - at only 1.45kg, you can easily toss the Inspiron 11 into a bag and take it everywhere you go. There's 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive but also, unexpectedly, a touchscreen. Windows 8.1 comes preloaded, so you can enjoy the touch-centric Modern UI apps too.
Best choice on a shoestring budget: Asus X550CA, Rs 25,750 (approximate street price)
If our Rs. 30,000 price ceiling is too high for you, there are a few ultra-budget options to consider as well. Both HP and Acer sell Chromebooks for around Rs. 22,000, but we think a full-fledged laptop is a better investment even if it comes with very weak components. Our choices is the Asus X550CA, which comes with a low-power but still modern Core i3-3217U processor, 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Of course there's a compromise - you'll have to use a free Linux distribution or buy your own copy of Windows. Still, this model offers solid value for money.
Amidst rumours about Apple planning separate launches for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite this year, a new report claims that the company is 'tentatively' planning a keynote address in mid-September for the launch of iPhone 6 as iOS 8 is nearing completion.
The report, citing people briefed on the company's plans, notes that the September event could see the long-rumoured 4.7-inch iPhone 6 release, a model which is said to almost done with its testing and manufacturing development. The final decision about whether to debut the alleged 5.5-inch iPhone 6 model, rumoured to be called the iPhone Air, has yet to be taken.
An earlier report citing KGI Securities' analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that due to production issues the launch of the alleged larger iPhone 6 variant might be delayed to next year. Kuo added that if the phone was launched in October, it would likely be available in limited quantities.
9to5mac suggests that the event could happen in the second or third week of September; although a possible delay due to manufacturing uncertainties has not been ruled out. The sources suggest that the final decisions on the event plans are yet to be taken. Recently, Apple's next iPhone device launch was tipped to launch on September 19 - leaked by a promotional flyer from China.
According to sources, Apple is working hard to complete iOS 8 ahead of the iPhone launch, and it plans to release the fifth and final beta for testing on August 4. Further, the report suggests that Apple will finish work on the final beta next week, while a golden master of the iOS 8 could be expected to be over in late-August or early-September, which will offer plenty of time for both carrier testing and the installation of the new iOS onto iPhone 6, which is expected to be in production by that time.
The report also talks about a second Apple event being planned for October, where the company is expected to officially release the OS X Yosemite. The company has also plans to unveil new versions of iPads which are expected to have internal improvements and the much touted Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
Previously, an image surfaced online that purportedly showed the Apple's alleged iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 models featuring an embedded circular home button; reminiscent to the one found on the iPhone 5s with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
Amidst rumours about Apple planning separate launches for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite this year, a new report claims that the company is 'tentatively' planning a keynote address in mid-September for the launch of iPhone 6 as iOS 8 is nearing completion.
The report, citing people briefed on the company's plans, notes that the September event could see the long-rumoured 4.7-inch iPhone 6 release, a model which is said to almost done with its testing and manufacturing development. The final decision about whether to debut the alleged 5.5-inch iPhone 6 model, rumoured to be called the iPhone Air, has yet to be taken.
An earlier report citing KGI Securities' analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that due to production issues the launch of the alleged larger iPhone 6 variant might be delayed to next year. Kuo added that if the phone was launched in October, it would likely be available in limited quantities.
9to5mac suggests that the event could happen in the second or third week of September; although a possible delay due to manufacturing uncertainties has not been ruled out. The sources suggest that the final decisions on the event plans are yet to be taken. Recently, Apple's next iPhone device launch was tipped to launch on September 19 - leaked by a promotional flyer from China.
According to sources, Apple is working hard to complete iOS 8 ahead of the iPhone launch, and it plans to release the fifth and final beta for testing on August 4. Further, the report suggests that Apple will finish work on the final beta next week, while a golden master of the iOS 8 could be expected to be over in late-August or early-September, which will offer plenty of time for both carrier testing and the installation of the new iOS onto iPhone 6, which is expected to be in production by that time.
The report also talks about a second Apple event being planned for October, where the company is expected to officially release the OS X Yosemite. The company has also plans to unveil new versions of iPads which are expected to have internal improvements and the much touted Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
Previously, an image surfaced online that purportedly showed the Apple's alleged iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 models featuring an embedded circular home button; reminiscent to the one found on the iPhone 5s with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
It feels like cloud services have plateaued. We’re all familiar with how Dropbox works and how documents are stored in Google Drive. Other than price drops in cloud storage and the ongoing privacy debate, nothing much has been going on.
Now that cloud storage has been popularized, it’s sometimes hard to tell which of the many services popping up is the best. Google Drive, Dropbox and SpiderOak are similar in a lot of senses. They give you a box to store your files, have iOS, Android apps, and web access to easily retrieve documents or previous version of them. They are free to start with, have paid options for added storage, and best of all, they are reliable.
So in this article I’ll focus on the differences rather than the similarities. And right now, it comes down to the cost, ecosystem, and privacy. Let’s get to it.
Cost To Space Ratio
Google Drive offers you 15 GB of free storage off the bat. But this is shared with all your Google services, including Gmail and Google+ photos (the high-res ones that don’t qualify for unlimited free storage). This means that if you’ve been harboring large attachment files in Gmail, it’s time to go on a cleaning spree.
Dropbox and SpiderOak both start you off with 2 GB of storage for free. Available upgrades are on the expensive side. While you can get 100 GB on Drive for $1.99 a month, the same costs $9.99 on Dropbox and SpiderOak. But Dropbox is pretty generous when it comes to giving space away. You can make a couple of gigs easily just by sharing the links, sending out the referral code or buying a phone with bundled cloud storage like Galaxy S5 among many others (50 GB storage for 2 years for free is the usual deal and Drive does this for handsets like Moto G as well).
SpiderOak however, doesn’t really like to play Oprah with their storage space.
When you’re buying hardware or software, what you’re really buying into is the “ecosystem”. Like it or not that’s the truth. So when you choose the privacy-first (SpiderOak over Dropbox) but then can’t connect with your favorite Markdown editor on iOS, you’ve got a problem on your hands.
Business users who work on the web will appreciate Google Drive’s productivity suite and the plethora of extensions and apps available. If you want something personal you can always whip it up with a script.
Dropbox is truly cross-platform and has by far the best integration with the cloud related services I’ve seen. When iOS 8′s integration comes in I’m sure Dropbox will be in there on day one, so will Google Drive. But Drive is still lagging behind with third party app integration. So before choosing your cloud service, check your app compatibility first.
Ever since the NSA story broke, privacy has been on everyone’s mind. The cloud especially has come under a lot of scrutiny. The problem stems from the fact that many users are still not completely familiar with how “the cloud” even works. To most, it’s a mystery.
SpiderOak is the only service in the list that has a “zero knowledge” policy. It means that the company doesn’t know what’s in your files and doesn’t have any access to it. Of course, Google and Dropbox encrypt your files as well but SpiderOak goes an extra step forward. The encryption key is user applicable. Meaning that when the feds come knocking at their door and demand your files, SpiderOak will hand it to them but as the encryption key is with you, they will need a warrant/permission from the government to swoop around.
Google Drive and Dropbox though won’t mind handing out complete access to your data to the proper authorities. More about that here. Of course, this doesn’t mean that SpiderOak is completely private and no one can ever get into it. But it’s good enough for Edward Snowden to use and that’s a man whose privacy advice is easy to follow.
But SpiderOak’s biggest problem is the lack of integration with big services. You can use it as a replacement for Dropbox for apps that run on desktop that have a file picker but not for mobile apps with tight cloud integration.
SpiderOak has structured their system in such a way that you can store all of your information on them with the same sort of features that Dropbox does, but they literally have no access to the content. So while they can be compelled to turn it over, the law enforcement agencies still have to go to a judge and get a warrant to actually get your encryption key from you. – Edward Snowden
So To Recap
Dropbox for all ecosystems.
Drive for the free storage and integrated productivity suite.
It feels like cloud services have plateaued. We’re all familiar with how Dropbox works and how documents are stored in Google Drive. Other than price drops in cloud storage and the ongoing privacy debate, nothing much has been going on.
Now that cloud storage has been popularized, it’s sometimes hard to tell which of the many services popping up is the best. Google Drive, Dropbox and SpiderOak are similar in a lot of senses. They give you a box to store your files, have iOS, Android apps, and web access to easily retrieve documents or previous version of them. They are free to start with, have paid options for added storage, and best of all, they are reliable.
So in this article I’ll focus on the differences rather than the similarities. And right now, it comes down to the cost, ecosystem, and privacy. Let’s get to it.
Cost To Space Ratio
Google Drive offers you 15 GB of free storage off the bat. But this is shared with all your Google services, including Gmail and Google+ photos (the high-res ones that don’t qualify for unlimited free storage). This means that if you’ve been harboring large attachment files in Gmail, it’s time to go on a cleaning spree.
Dropbox and SpiderOak both start you off with 2 GB of storage for free. Available upgrades are on the expensive side. While you can get 100 GB on Drive for $1.99 a month, the same costs $9.99 on Dropbox and SpiderOak. But Dropbox is pretty generous when it comes to giving space away. You can make a couple of gigs easily just by sharing the links, sending out the referral code or buying a phone with bundled cloud storage like Galaxy S5 among many others (50 GB storage for 2 years for free is the usual deal and Drive does this for handsets like Moto G as well).
SpiderOak however, doesn’t really like to play Oprah with their storage space.
When you’re buying hardware or software, what you’re really buying into is the “ecosystem”. Like it or not that’s the truth. So when you choose the privacy-first (SpiderOak over Dropbox) but then can’t connect with your favorite Markdown editor on iOS, you’ve got a problem on your hands.
Business users who work on the web will appreciate Google Drive’s productivity suite and the plethora of extensions and apps available. If you want something personal you can always whip it up with a script.
Dropbox is truly cross-platform and has by far the best integration with the cloud related services I’ve seen. When iOS 8′s integration comes in I’m sure Dropbox will be in there on day one, so will Google Drive. But Drive is still lagging behind with third party app integration. So before choosing your cloud service, check your app compatibility first.
Ever since the NSA story broke, privacy has been on everyone’s mind. The cloud especially has come under a lot of scrutiny. The problem stems from the fact that many users are still not completely familiar with how “the cloud” even works. To most, it’s a mystery.
SpiderOak is the only service in the list that has a “zero knowledge” policy. It means that the company doesn’t know what’s in your files and doesn’t have any access to it. Of course, Google and Dropbox encrypt your files as well but SpiderOak goes an extra step forward. The encryption key is user applicable. Meaning that when the feds come knocking at their door and demand your files, SpiderOak will hand it to them but as the encryption key is with you, they will need a warrant/permission from the government to swoop around.
Google Drive and Dropbox though won’t mind handing out complete access to your data to the proper authorities. More about that here. Of course, this doesn’t mean that SpiderOak is completely private and no one can ever get into it. But it’s good enough for Edward Snowden to use and that’s a man whose privacy advice is easy to follow.
But SpiderOak’s biggest problem is the lack of integration with big services. You can use it as a replacement for Dropbox for apps that run on desktop that have a file picker but not for mobile apps with tight cloud integration.
SpiderOak has structured their system in such a way that you can store all of your information on them with the same sort of features that Dropbox does, but they literally have no access to the content. So while they can be compelled to turn it over, the law enforcement agencies still have to go to a judge and get a warrant to actually get your encryption key from you. – Edward Snowden
So To Recap
Dropbox for all ecosystems.
Drive for the free storage and integrated productivity suite.
Domestic handset maker Spice on Wednesday said it will bring the much-awaited Rs. 1,500-Firefox OS and Rs. 6,000-Android One smartphones to India before Diwali.
Earlier this year, Mozilla (developer of Firefox web browser) had tied up with Indian firms - Intex and Spice - to bring smartphones priced at $25 (about Rs. 1,500) to India.
Similarly, under the Android One initiative, Google has partnered Spice, Micromax and Karbonn from India to deliver a smartphone under $100 (about Rs. 6,000).
Both the handsets are expected to fuel further competition in the world's fastest growing smartphone market.
"We will have the handsets in before Diwali. These phones are designed for driving connectivity at affordable prices. We were chosen for our innovation, we are among the chosen few to work with these global giants to bring these devices to India," Spice Retail CEO Devices T M Ramakrishnan told PTI.
Spice is aiming to grow its revenues in the country by over 40 percent to Rs. 2,000 crore this fiscal, buoyed by the strong growth in its smartphone business.
"Last year, our revenues were Rs. 1,400 crore and this year, we expect it to grow Rs. 2,000 crore (fiscal ending June 2015). We expect to grow our market share to over 4 percent from about 2.2 percent now," he said.
Ramakrishnan added that the numbers could change depending on the response to the new devices coming in.
Smartphone sales in the country grew almost three-fold to over 44 million in 2013, buoyed by affordable devices made by local firms such as Micromax and Karbonn, according to research firm IDC.
In the first quarter of 2014, 17.59 million smartphones were shipped in India compared with 6.14 million in the same period of 2013.
While Samsung is the category leader with a 35 percent market share, Micromax had 15 percent, Karbonn 10 percent, Lava 6 percent and Nokia 4 percent in Q1, IDC said.
Low-cost handsets prices less than Rs. 5,000 and smartphones not costing more than Rs. 7,000 from Asian handset makers including Huawei, ZTE, Micromax and Karbonn have been driving growth in the emerging markets of Asia and Africa.
Spice will also invest Rs. 160 crore during the fiscal (July 2014-June 2015) for various advertising and marketing campaigns.
"About 85 percent of our portfolio is priced under Rs. 8,000. We are focussed on tier II and III cities and towns.
Though we have higher priced models as well, but we are seeing very high growth rates between 250-300 percent in the smaller markets," he said.
Domestic handset maker Spice on Wednesday said it will bring the much-awaited Rs. 1,500-Firefox OS and Rs. 6,000-Android One smartphones to India before Diwali.
Earlier this year, Mozilla (developer of Firefox web browser) had tied up with Indian firms - Intex and Spice - to bring smartphones priced at $25 (about Rs. 1,500) to India.
Similarly, under the Android One initiative, Google has partnered Spice, Micromax and Karbonn from India to deliver a smartphone under $100 (about Rs. 6,000).
Both the handsets are expected to fuel further competition in the world's fastest growing smartphone market.
"We will have the handsets in before Diwali. These phones are designed for driving connectivity at affordable prices. We were chosen for our innovation, we are among the chosen few to work with these global giants to bring these devices to India," Spice Retail CEO Devices T M Ramakrishnan told PTI.
Spice is aiming to grow its revenues in the country by over 40 percent to Rs. 2,000 crore this fiscal, buoyed by the strong growth in its smartphone business.
"Last year, our revenues were Rs. 1,400 crore and this year, we expect it to grow Rs. 2,000 crore (fiscal ending June 2015). We expect to grow our market share to over 4 percent from about 2.2 percent now," he said.
Ramakrishnan added that the numbers could change depending on the response to the new devices coming in.
Smartphone sales in the country grew almost three-fold to over 44 million in 2013, buoyed by affordable devices made by local firms such as Micromax and Karbonn, according to research firm IDC.
In the first quarter of 2014, 17.59 million smartphones were shipped in India compared with 6.14 million in the same period of 2013.
While Samsung is the category leader with a 35 percent market share, Micromax had 15 percent, Karbonn 10 percent, Lava 6 percent and Nokia 4 percent in Q1, IDC said.
Low-cost handsets prices less than Rs. 5,000 and smartphones not costing more than Rs. 7,000 from Asian handset makers including Huawei, ZTE, Micromax and Karbonn have been driving growth in the emerging markets of Asia and Africa.
Spice will also invest Rs. 160 crore during the fiscal (July 2014-June 2015) for various advertising and marketing campaigns.
"About 85 percent of our portfolio is priced under Rs. 8,000. We are focussed on tier II and III cities and towns.
Though we have higher priced models as well, but we are seeing very high growth rates between 250-300 percent in the smaller markets," he said.
So do you belong to the church of Apple or are you an Android enthusiast? Well, Samsung has released an ad on YouTube entitled, ‘Screen Envy’ which mocks iPhone users for their ‘patience’ at having to wait for a larger screen.
Two friends are sitting in a cafe, both looking at their phones. One has a Samsung while the other is sporting his iPhone. The iPhone carrying friend states that the ‘iPhone might be getting a bigger screen.’ “That hasn’t happened yet?” responds his friend with the Samsung, obviously sporting a much larger screen. “You know that thing you’ve been waiting on for like two years, and how it’s supposed to be awesome, and how it’s gonna blow your mind?” the narrator pipes up in an extremely sarcastic manner.
The narrator then states:”Well it’s been here this whole time, but maybe you just like waiting.” The camera then goes in for the close-up shot of the two phones. The Samsung with an obviously bigger screen. “It’s everything you’ve been waiting for: 5.1 inches of full HD on the Samsung Galaxy S5.”
Samsung has already mocked Apple using video advertisements making fun of the iPhone’s battery life and the iPad’s screen. Adding fuel to the proverbial fire, they have now created this new video mocking the long wait for a bigger screen by iPhone users.
This ad is apparently in response to the rumour that Apple will be coming out with two iPhone 6s which will have a 4.7 inch screen and a 5.5 inch screen. These are both bigger than the iPhone 5s, which only has a 4 inch screen.
So do you belong to the church of Apple or are you an Android enthusiast? Well, Samsung has released an ad on YouTube entitled, ‘Screen Envy’ which mocks iPhone users for their ‘patience’ at having to wait for a larger screen.
Two friends are sitting in a cafe, both looking at their phones. One has a Samsung while the other is sporting his iPhone. The iPhone carrying friend states that the ‘iPhone might be getting a bigger screen.’ “That hasn’t happened yet?” responds his friend with the Samsung, obviously sporting a much larger screen. “You know that thing you’ve been waiting on for like two years, and how it’s supposed to be awesome, and how it’s gonna blow your mind?” the narrator pipes up in an extremely sarcastic manner.
The narrator then states:”Well it’s been here this whole time, but maybe you just like waiting.” The camera then goes in for the close-up shot of the two phones. The Samsung with an obviously bigger screen. “It’s everything you’ve been waiting for: 5.1 inches of full HD on the Samsung Galaxy S5.”
Samsung has already mocked Apple using video advertisements making fun of the iPhone’s battery life and the iPad’s screen. Adding fuel to the proverbial fire, they have now created this new video mocking the long wait for a bigger screen by iPhone users.
This ad is apparently in response to the rumour that Apple will be coming out with two iPhone 6s which will have a 4.7 inch screen and a 5.5 inch screen. These are both bigger than the iPhone 5s, which only has a 4 inch screen.
Microsoft on Thursday confirmed that its studio devoted to original television programs for Xbox consoles will be shuttered as part a massive overhaul of the workforce.
Projects started by Xbox Entertainment Studios will be completed, but the unit launched as part of a push to expand the consoles beyond gaming will be shuttered in coming months, the US technology titan told AFP.
During a major E3 video game industry gathering in Los Angeles in June Microsoft brought the focus back to games in a shift from stressing how Xbox is evolving into a multipurpose entertainment centre for films, television, music, and more.
Closing Xbox Entertainment Studios is part of an unprecedented workforce reduction announced by Microsoft chief Satya Nadella, according to a copy of a memo sent by Xbox head Phil Spencer to his team.
Leaked copies of Spencer's memo were posted online.
"We will continue to enhance our entertainment offering on console by innovating the TV experience through the monthly console updates," Spencer said in the memo.
"Additionally, our app partnerships with world-class content providers bringing entertainment, sports and TV content to Xbox customers around the world are not impacted by this organizational change in any way and remain an important component of our Xbox strategy."
Programming already in production included a documentary looking at the rise and fall of video game pioneer Atari and a series spun from blockbuster video game "Halo."
Word that Xbox Entertainment Studios is being closed came shortly after Microsoft announced that US sales of its new-generation Xbox One console more than doubled in June.
The jump in sale was credited to the release of a version of the Xbox One priced $100 less than the original packaged model because a gesture-sensing Kinect camera accessory was removed from the bundle.
The Xbox One launched in November priced at $499 and included Kinect.
Microsoft did not provide sales numbers for Xbox consoles in June.
Microsoft's new chief Thursday unveiled the biggest job cuts ever at the US tech giant, aiming for a new strategic direction while integrating the Nokia phone division.
The company said it would slash 18,000 jobs from its global workforce over the next year, the majority from the Nokia unit acquired this year.
The cuts represent about 14 percent of Microsoft's global payroll of some 127,000. The company will take a charge of between $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion for costs related to the layoffs.
Microsoft on Thursday confirmed that its studio devoted to original television programs for Xbox consoles will be shuttered as part a massive overhaul of the workforce.
Projects started by Xbox Entertainment Studios will be completed, but the unit launched as part of a push to expand the consoles beyond gaming will be shuttered in coming months, the US technology titan told AFP.
During a major E3 video game industry gathering in Los Angeles in June Microsoft brought the focus back to games in a shift from stressing how Xbox is evolving into a multipurpose entertainment centre for films, television, music, and more.
Closing Xbox Entertainment Studios is part of an unprecedented workforce reduction announced by Microsoft chief Satya Nadella, according to a copy of a memo sent by Xbox head Phil Spencer to his team.
Leaked copies of Spencer's memo were posted online.
"We will continue to enhance our entertainment offering on console by innovating the TV experience through the monthly console updates," Spencer said in the memo.
"Additionally, our app partnerships with world-class content providers bringing entertainment, sports and TV content to Xbox customers around the world are not impacted by this organizational change in any way and remain an important component of our Xbox strategy."
Programming already in production included a documentary looking at the rise and fall of video game pioneer Atari and a series spun from blockbuster video game "Halo."
Word that Xbox Entertainment Studios is being closed came shortly after Microsoft announced that US sales of its new-generation Xbox One console more than doubled in June.
The jump in sale was credited to the release of a version of the Xbox One priced $100 less than the original packaged model because a gesture-sensing Kinect camera accessory was removed from the bundle.
The Xbox One launched in November priced at $499 and included Kinect.
Microsoft did not provide sales numbers for Xbox consoles in June.
Microsoft's new chief Thursday unveiled the biggest job cuts ever at the US tech giant, aiming for a new strategic direction while integrating the Nokia phone division.
The company said it would slash 18,000 jobs from its global workforce over the next year, the majority from the Nokia unit acquired this year.
The cuts represent about 14 percent of Microsoft's global payroll of some 127,000. The company will take a charge of between $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion for costs related to the layoffs.
Ever since the unexpected popularity of Flappy Bird and its eventual withdrawal from the App Store and Google Play, people have been on the lookout for the next app that will take over mobile gaming. A flood of clones have tried to imitate the Flappy formula, in the hope of also replicating its success. The latest game that everyone seems to want to call "the next Flappy Bird" is a free new game called Timberman.
Timberman is a new indie-game made by developer Pawel Jedrysiak's company Digital Melody, available for free on the App Store and Google Play and after it was featured in the App Store's Best New Games section, it has been rising up the charts rapidly - it's got the top spot in the US App Store free chart, and between 500,000 and 1,000,000 downloads in Google Play. Much like Flappy Bird, the game is completely free, and ad-supported.
It's similar in a few other respects - the gameplay is incredibly simple, and the levels are randomly generated. Death is instant, and comes frustratingly often, but the game feels incredibly fair, and so people are encouraged to keep trying and improving their score. And much like Flappy Bird, here too, you'll roll your eyes when you look at the enormous scores on the leaderboard, and compare it against the 3 you scored in the last round.
However, Timberman is a very different game from Flappy Bird in many ways, and calling it the next Flappy Bird is doing a disservice to both games. Here are some of the main reasons why Timberman is not the next Flappy Bird:
1. Art
At first glance, Timberman might remind one of Flappy Bird with its crude looking graphics and simple visual elements. There are only three things to look at in the game, not including the background. There's the huge tree trunk in the centre of the screen, your lumberjack, who has a choppy animation with each swing, and the branches on both sides of the tree that you must avoid. Each swing cuts out a big chunk of the tree that flies out, and the branches twirl off in an equally primitive fashion.
However, these choices look very deliberate. Flappy Bird's visuals were simple, and in fact, ugly. Timberman on the other hand looks great, and there's a lot of detail in all the visual elements.
2. Music
In Flappy Bird, the flap-flap sound that comes with each tap is the focus of the game until you hit something. In Timberman as well, each swing is accompanied with a tapping noise, and as you quickly swing, it quickly builds up to a dramatic percussion until a branch hits you and you die.
Timberman also has an excellent background track though, which starts off slow and builds up in tempo. That background score is going to be the cause of most of your deaths in the game, as the pace builds up and you instinctively try to keep up with it. It's wonderfully timed, and keeps the pressure building even though the game is at its core about time management.
3. Strategy
Timberman looks like a simple game, but there's more to it than quick reactions. In Timberman, each swing your lumberjack takes knocks out the lowest segment of the tree. You can cut it from either side, but each time you cut out a segment, the pieces above it come down by one level. There are branches on either side of the tree, so you need to keep cutting from the empty side.
Complicating things further is a timer which limits how many swings you get. But each swing also adds a little time to the clock - so you've got to balance maximum speed on easier sections, with a slightly slower approach on more complicated parts of the tree. You've got to build up time and then spend it carefully.
4. Pacing
One of the biggest distinguishing characteristics is the tempo of the two games. Flappy Bird's tempo never really changes - you might have to tap frantically at times to reach a high gap after a low one, but for the most part, the game has a very static pace.
Timberman on the other hand keeps shifting up its tempo. Like the gaps in the pipes in Flappy Bird, the frequency and location of the branches in Timberman is also random, but there are times when you'll see a clear run to the top on one side of the screen, so you can tap away at a hectic pace. At other times, you will have to slow down as the branches alternate between the two sides regularly, so you have to keep moving around carefully. As a result, the game can be frustrating, but it's rarely monotonous.
5. A paid version
One area where Flappy Bird wins over Timberman is in the placement of its ads. In Flappy Bird, the ads run as a banner that doesn't get in the way of the game. Timberman has a similar flow of play-die-play, but once in a while, the game will pause between rounds to display a full page ad. What's more, you can't dismiss the ad without hitting a small 'x' in the corner, which further slows you down.
That's why we'd heartily recommend that iOS users download the paid version, Timberman Golden instead - it is a $0.99 (Rs. 60) download, and it's the exact same game, but without any ads. It's a small price to pay, and the ad-free version has a much better rhythm that you will enjoy more.
Ever since the unexpected popularity of Flappy Bird and its eventual withdrawal from the App Store and Google Play, people have been on the lookout for the next app that will take over mobile gaming. A flood of clones have tried to imitate the Flappy formula, in the hope of also replicating its success. The latest game that everyone seems to want to call "the next Flappy Bird" is a free new game called Timberman.
Timberman is a new indie-game made by developer Pawel Jedrysiak's company Digital Melody, available for free on the App Store and Google Play and after it was featured in the App Store's Best New Games section, it has been rising up the charts rapidly - it's got the top spot in the US App Store free chart, and between 500,000 and 1,000,000 downloads in Google Play. Much like Flappy Bird, the game is completely free, and ad-supported.
It's similar in a few other respects - the gameplay is incredibly simple, and the levels are randomly generated. Death is instant, and comes frustratingly often, but the game feels incredibly fair, and so people are encouraged to keep trying and improving their score. And much like Flappy Bird, here too, you'll roll your eyes when you look at the enormous scores on the leaderboard, and compare it against the 3 you scored in the last round.
However, Timberman is a very different game from Flappy Bird in many ways, and calling it the next Flappy Bird is doing a disservice to both games. Here are some of the main reasons why Timberman is not the next Flappy Bird:
1. Art
At first glance, Timberman might remind one of Flappy Bird with its crude looking graphics and simple visual elements. There are only three things to look at in the game, not including the background. There's the huge tree trunk in the centre of the screen, your lumberjack, who has a choppy animation with each swing, and the branches on both sides of the tree that you must avoid. Each swing cuts out a big chunk of the tree that flies out, and the branches twirl off in an equally primitive fashion.
However, these choices look very deliberate. Flappy Bird's visuals were simple, and in fact, ugly. Timberman on the other hand looks great, and there's a lot of detail in all the visual elements.
2. Music
In Flappy Bird, the flap-flap sound that comes with each tap is the focus of the game until you hit something. In Timberman as well, each swing is accompanied with a tapping noise, and as you quickly swing, it quickly builds up to a dramatic percussion until a branch hits you and you die.
Timberman also has an excellent background track though, which starts off slow and builds up in tempo. That background score is going to be the cause of most of your deaths in the game, as the pace builds up and you instinctively try to keep up with it. It's wonderfully timed, and keeps the pressure building even though the game is at its core about time management.
3. Strategy
Timberman looks like a simple game, but there's more to it than quick reactions. In Timberman, each swing your lumberjack takes knocks out the lowest segment of the tree. You can cut it from either side, but each time you cut out a segment, the pieces above it come down by one level. There are branches on either side of the tree, so you need to keep cutting from the empty side.
Complicating things further is a timer which limits how many swings you get. But each swing also adds a little time to the clock - so you've got to balance maximum speed on easier sections, with a slightly slower approach on more complicated parts of the tree. You've got to build up time and then spend it carefully.
4. Pacing
One of the biggest distinguishing characteristics is the tempo of the two games. Flappy Bird's tempo never really changes - you might have to tap frantically at times to reach a high gap after a low one, but for the most part, the game has a very static pace.
Timberman on the other hand keeps shifting up its tempo. Like the gaps in the pipes in Flappy Bird, the frequency and location of the branches in Timberman is also random, but there are times when you'll see a clear run to the top on one side of the screen, so you can tap away at a hectic pace. At other times, you will have to slow down as the branches alternate between the two sides regularly, so you have to keep moving around carefully. As a result, the game can be frustrating, but it's rarely monotonous.
5. A paid version
One area where Flappy Bird wins over Timberman is in the placement of its ads. In Flappy Bird, the ads run as a banner that doesn't get in the way of the game. Timberman has a similar flow of play-die-play, but once in a while, the game will pause between rounds to display a full page ad. What's more, you can't dismiss the ad without hitting a small 'x' in the corner, which further slows you down.
That's why we'd heartily recommend that iOS users download the paid version, Timberman Golden instead - it is a $0.99 (Rs. 60) download, and it's the exact same game, but without any ads. It's a small price to pay, and the ad-free version has a much better rhythm that you will enjoy more.
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