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• 

  Dropbox 3.2.4 FINAL supports opening files from web, updated File Explorer shell extension

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 11:28pm CET par Nick Peers

  

  Dropbox has unveiled Dropbox 3.2.4 FINAL, the first stable build in its 3.2 series for Windows, Mac and Linux. The cloud backup and sync tool gains a number of new features and improvements with this latest release, which needs to be manually installed on some platforms.

  The update’s headline feature is support for opening files locally directly from the web. Windows users also get a new File Explorer shell implementation, while OS X users gain improved network proxies.

  The major new feature allows users to browse their Dropbox folder in a supported web browser and open files directly from the browser window. If certain prerequisites are met, after clicking a file to preview or view available options for it, users will see an Open button appear in place of the Download button. This then links to the locally stored copy of the file, which is opened in the usual manner for editing.

  The requirements for this new feature are: Dropbox 3.2.4 must be installed and running, all local files must be in sync, and users must be browsing using a recent version of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari -- we also tried the feature in Opera, but it didn't work.

  Windows users also gain a new implementation of Dropbox’s File Explorer extension, which should now work as it did in version 3.0 or earlier -- right-click a file inside the Dropbox folder to reveal available options.

  OS X users gain support for automatically discovered and auto-configured network proxies, while version 3.2.4 also fixes a number of Linux-specific tray icon issues. Certain window managers remain affected, but Dropbox promises additional fixes will appear shortly.

  The update is rounded off with connection sharing support, which comes with the promise of lower latency.

  Dropbox 3.2.4 is available now as a free download for Windows, Mac and Linux.

  
• 

  File sharing site RapidShare is no more

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 8:25pm CET par Wayne Williams

  

  Things were seriously rocky for file sharing sites after MegaUpload was raided and shutdown three years ago. Several other sharing sites voluntarily closed their doors shortly after to avoid suffering the same fate, but since then it’s been relatively calm and business as usual among file sharing services.

  So it’s a bit of a surprise (albeit not a massive one) to hear that Switzerland-based RapidShare, one of the first file hosting and sharing services on the Internet, is to shut down next month.

  RapidShare launched in 2002 and has undergone a few changes over the years, including -- in the wake of MegaUpload being shut down -- making more of an effort to clamp down on people sharing illegal content through it.

  The site hasn’t been doing well in recent years though, and shut down its free service, increased its prices, and let a large portion of its workforce go last year, but even so the final nail in the coffin is a bit of a shock.

  If you visit the site now, you will be greeted with a message stating:

  Dear RapidShare Customers

  Kindly note that RapidShare will stop the active service on March 31st, 2015. Extensions of STANDARD PLUS and PREMIUM will be possible until February 28th, 2015.

  We strongly recommend all customers to secure their data. After March 31st, 2015 all accounts will no longer be accessible and will be deleted automatically.
  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail to support@rapidshare.com

  Thank you for many years of trust.
  Your RapidShare Team

  So, that’s it. After March 31st, all of RapidShare’s user accounts and data will be deleted and the site will be consigned to history.

  Did you use RapidShare, and will you miss it?

  
• 

  Google blocks Mozilla Firefox for Android from the Play Store

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 6:43pm CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  If you're an Android user, there is a good chance that you use the Chrome browser on your device. Look, I get it, it can be easier and more seamless to use all Google apps. Me? I use Firefox on my Nexus 6. Why? I find it to be a better experience from a speed perspective -- scrolling is very fluid. More importantly though, I enjoy using plugins, such as Lastpass.

  Today, however, I noticed something odd. When clicking a link to the Play Store in Firefox for Android, I did not see the app store. No, I instead saw an error message that Firefox was no longer supported. In other words, Google has flagged the user agent for Firefox, thereby blocking it from the web version Play Store. Disgusting.

  What makes this a horrible practice, is that Firefox is capable of displaying the site. If you change the user agent, you can access it and all is well. Google is deciding that it doesn't want the mobile version of Firefox accessing its precious Play Store on the web.

  

  What ultimately makes this a scary thing, is that Google develops its own browser, Chrome. Blocking Firefox is anti-competitive behavior, and quite frankly, goes against Google's original pledge to do no evil. Blocking Firefox is evil, end of story.

  Firefox's solution of handling the Play Store was genius too, and I loved it. You could launch the Play Store app from the web version at any time by clicking on a little icon in the address bar.

  I have reached out to Google for an explanation, but have received no response. I will update the story if and when the company does.

  Photo Credit: Syda Productions / Shutterstock

   

  
• 

  Safer Internet Day Google giveaway -- 2Gb of free Drive storage

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 6:29pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  As it's Safer Internet Day today, lots of companies are getting in on the action and doing their bit to encourage people to be a little safer online. One such company is Google, and if you spend a few moments performing a quick security check, you can bag yourself 2GB of Drive storage for free.

  There are no trick questions -- it's nothing more than ensuring that your Google account recovery information is up to date. You don’t get the extra space straight away, but you only have to wait until the end of the month for the start of the rollout.

  Head over to the Security Checkup page and you can check that your mobile number, recovery email address and security question are all set up correctly. If anything needs changing, this is the time and place to do just that. Click All Done and, well, you're done!

  While you're here you can also check your recent account activity -- keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious -- and disable account access for apps that have been deemed "less secure". You can also check which apps, devices and sites have access to your Google account.

  In a blog post Google points out that "Google Apps for Work and Google Apps for Education users are not eligible for the bonus storage but should still consider taking the Security Checkup." If you're a regular Drive user, there's not really any excuse not to take advantage of the offer. What are you waiting for?

  
• 

  Nest introduces Home Report, find out where you stand in each category

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 5:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

  

  Nest, the thermostat maker that everyone seems to love, has been busy innovating with the Internet of Things lately, allowing users even more control over the devices in their homes. But the company hasn't forgotten its roots -- it's still about being a thermostat that aims to save energy and money.

  Now the company is touting a new report to get customers up to speed with where they stand with the whole "savings" part of things and more. This new report incorporates more of what Nest does -- not just the energy savings, but information on the smoke detectors the company produces, as well as the integration with other devices.

  "We work with other companies to create the thoughtful home. So today we’re introducing the Nest Home Report" says Nest's Matt Rogers, who is the founder and also head of engineering. So what's included in this new document?

  Well, there's information on energy, as one would expect, but also the "leafs" you've earned, what percentile of users you fall into, a safety summary, tips and more.

  Rogers points out that "if you have a Nest Protect -- or a few Nest Protects -- you get something completely new: a Home Report with a safety summary".

  The company published an infographic to show some of what's included. You can check that out below.

  

  
• 

  Facebook continues to bring free Internet access to people, partners with RCom to launch Internet.org in India

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 4:17pm CET par Manish Singh

  

  Facebook is on a mission to get more people to use the internet. Through Internet.org -- a global partnership between the social networking service and six mobile phone technology giants, nonprofits, local communities and experts -- the company today took its biggest step in that direction. Internet.org is now available in India, the world’s second most populous nation.

  The company has partnered with Reliance Communications, an Indian broadband and telecommunications company, to provide access to 38 services (products and websites) for free. To get things started, the service has been launched in six Indian states -- Tamil Nadu, Mahararashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Telangana -- and will work for both existing and new RCom subscribers.

  The 38 different services the company is offering include portals of news, health, weather, music, sports, and search (using Microsoft’s Bing). These services will be available in English and six local languages namely, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Marathi. Some of the websites are, Aaj Tak news, BBC News, Reuters Market Lite, Wikipedia, wikiHow, AccuWeather, AP Speaks, Babajob, BabyCenter & MAMA, Bing Search, Cleartrip, Dictionary.com, ESPN CricInfo, Girl Effect, Hungama, Maalai Malar Tamil news, OLX, and TimesJobs. The bundle also includes Facebook's marquee and Messenger apps.

  "We just launched Internet.org in India -- giving people in six Indian states access to free basic internet services for health, education, jobs and communication", says Mark Zuckerberg. “Over the last year we've rolled out Internet.org free basic services to countries with more than 150 million people total across Africa and Latin America... But to continue connecting the world, we have to connect India. More than a billion people in India don't have access to the internet. That means they can't enjoy the same opportunities many of us take for granted, and the entire world is robbed of their ideas and creativity", he added.

  This is a unarguably one of the biggest noble initiatives in recent times. About 70 percent of mobile India is currently not connected to the internet. By giving these people access to the web, the company will play an important role in enriching these people's lives.

  The initiative has already been launched in a number of African countries including Zambia, Kenya, and Ghana, and Colombia and Tanzania. The project aims to bring internet access to 5 million people. The social juggernaut is working with Samsung, Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera and Qualcomm to bolster the reach of Internet.org to more people. These companies offer their expertise in data-compression technologies and cheap, high-quality smartphones to reduce the overhead expenses.

  
• 

  Intelligent and connected devices are driving a 'third industrial revolution'

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 3:30pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  Software-driven intelligent devices and the Internet of Things are changing the way companies deliver their products and services.

  This is among the findings of a new report from Flexera Software and IDC which points towards a 'third industrial revolution' transforming the global economy.

  The report based on responses from software vendors, intelligent device manufacturers and end-user enterprises, finds that the number of manufacturers making Internet of Things devices is set to more than double in the next two years.

  There's also strong growth in intelligent devices, with 50 percent of respondents saying they currently develop intelligent devices and another 21 percent planning on making their devices intelligent over the next two years.

  79 percent of respondents say they are, or plan on, delivering remote monitoring and maintenance as part of their product/service mix. 66 percent will add business intelligence capabilities and 37 percent will improve their supply chains with new services, such as automatic replenishment -- for example empty water coolers being able to order their own refills.

  Software licensing and entitlement management is seen as key to monetizing the Internet of Things, allowing companies to develop new offerings that bundle device, services and consulting. This will see the proportion of revenues gained from hardware decline over the next two years and revenue from services grow to take its place.

  "The report supports a long-proven truism in the high-tech arena -- that innovation, alone, isn't sufficient to transform an industry. There must also be a practical means to monetize new technology in order to profit from it," says Vikram Koka, Vice President of Intelligent Devices and Internet of Things at Flexera Software. "Software- and Internet-enabled products are spawning a vast new category of products and services previously unimaginable. The data from today's report shows that in conjunction with their new products and services, device makers are also beginning to transform their business models via flexible licensing and entitlement management -- enabling them to turn their innovations into revenue".

  Image Credit: alexmillos / Shutterstock

  
• 

  List image aspect ratios with Arti

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 2:49pm CET par Mike Williams

  

  If you need to find images which fit into some predefined web or document layout, you’ll probably need to consider their aspect ratio. But that might require some manual calculations, especially if your pictures aren’t in standard sizes.

  Alternatively, you could just use Arti -- "Aspect Ratio Tool for Images", the latest release from prolific freeware developer Jody Holes, aka skwire -- to handle everything for you.

  The program has options to add selected files or entire folders, or you can drag and drop your target images onto the Arti window.

  A table lists their names, widths and heights, their exact ratio (4:3), the decimal equivalent (1.33), or the nearest match to a list of preset ratios (handy if you’d like something at 16:9, say, but don’t mind if it’s a few pixels out).

  This would be useful in itself, but Arti has some thoughtful extra touches. If you spot a few files you’d like to use, for instance, right-clicking displays options to open their containing folder, or copy them to the clipboard, ready for pasting elsewhere.

  The program also offers some useful reporting options, ranging from copying selected file details to the clipboard, to saving the entire report as a CSV file for later reference.

  Arti is still very much a niche tool, of course, but if you do sometimes need to calculate aspect ratios then it could save you a lot of time. Recommended.

  
• 

  2015 Motorola Moto E offers Android 5.0 Lollipop and 4G at just $99

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 1:42pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Consumers looking to purchase their first smartphone have so many options to choose from that the only way manufacturers can differentiate is by giving their devices more upscale, standout features. In a time when 4G LTE is on the rise, faster data speeds would certainly qualify. And with the 2015 Moto E, Motorola is finally giving its future customers just that.

  Yes, folks, the 2015 Moto E will arrive packing 4G LTE cellular connectivity, at a price that is similar to its predecessor's. And it will run Android 5.0 Lollipop out-of-the-box.

  The current Moto E is Motorola's least-expensive smartphone, being available for around $100 off-contract. According to a Best Buy listing of the 2015 Moto E, the new smartphone, in Sprint trim, will be available for as little as $99.99, obviously sans contract.

  Motorola has also fixed another issue with last year's model, as the 2015 Moto E arrives with double the internal storage -- 8 GB, compared to just 4 GB for the 2014 Moto E. It retains the microSD card slot.

  And it will also pack a faster processor, namely a 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon. The other major specs remain unchanged: 4.5-inch display with a resolution of 540 by 960; 1 GB of RAM; 5 MP main camera; 0.3 MP front-facing camera; GPS; Wi-Fi 802.11n.

  The 2015 Moto E comes in at 5.12 x 2.64 x 0.47 inches and 5.04 ounces. The Sprint version, pictured at the top, is the black model; other color options will most likely be offered.

  At just $99.99, the new Moto E (while writing this article, Best Buy took down the page, so I'm linking to Google Cache instead) will face tough competition from last year's Moto G, which can be had for even less money and with better hardware. A pre-paid Verizon model can be had now for just $69.99. However, you'll have to shell out more for the 4G LTE Moto G to also get a microSD card slot; assuming you're fine with a carrier-branded model, it also costs $99.99.

  
• 

  New and nastier Android ransomware uses unique keys to lock data

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 1:34pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  The Simplocker ransomware targeting Android systems first appeared in mid 2014. Prior to Simplocker most ransomware only claimed to encrypt files but didn't actually do so.

  Fortunately files locked by the malware were fairly easy to decrypt, but now researchers at antivirus company Avast have uncovered a new version of Simplocker with an even nastier trick.

  The latest version uses unique keys for each device it infects making it much harder to decrypt and is already believed to have infected around 5,000 devices.

  Avast mobile malware analyst, Nikolaos Chrysaidos writing on the company's blog says, "To use an analogy, the original variant of Simplocker used a 'master key' to lock devices, which made it possible for us to provide a 'copy of the master key' to unlock already infected devices. The new variant however, locks each device with a 'different key' which makes it impossible to provide a solution that can unlock each infected device, because that would require us to'‘make copies' of all the 'different keys'".

  The new Simplocker masquerades as a Flash Player update to trick users into installing it. Android blocks installs from unofficial markets by default, so users should be safe unless they've changed their settings.

  If it is installed the app is granted administrator rights and uses social engineering to deceive the user into paying a ransom to unlock the device and decrypt the files. The app claims to be the FBI, warning the user that they have found suspicious files, violating copyright laws and demanding the user pay a $200 fine to decrypt their files.

  There's more information including a look at how the Simplocker malware operates on the Avast blog.

  Image Credit: Carlos Amarillo / Shutterstock

  
• 

  TailExpert is a versatile Windows log monitor

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 1:15pm CET par Mike Williams

  

  Windows Event Logs can be a great troubleshooting resource, packed as they are with a host of essential low-level system details. But the bulky, underpowered Windows Event Viewer means all this data isn’t nearly as easy to access as it could be, and so many people avoid it just as much as they can.

  TailExpert is a free-for-personal-use alternative, a powerful tool for viewing, analyzing and monitoring Windows Event and plain text logs.

  The tabbed interface allows you to open several log files at once. Each file can be viewed in the full program window, or you can choose to view two logs side by side.

  You have full control over the details TailExpert displays. Open an Event Log, say, and you’ll get all the usual information: event type, date, time, source, user, computer, message and so on. But you can reorder the columns, remove some entirely, change the sort order and otherwise organize the log to make it more readable.

  One problem with Event Logs is the sheer volume of data they contain, but TailExpert provides several tools to help, including filters, text searching with regular expression support, and a bookmark system.

  If this sounds too much like hard work, you might like to try the Notify feature. Set TailExpert to monitor your log for some given text, leave it running in the background, and you can have the program play a sound, run a command or send an email whenever something interesting happens.

  Advanced tools include log compare options and the ability to analyze logs via Lua scripts, and there are plenty of configuration options to help set up TailExpert exactly as you’d like.

  The developer’s site isn’t exactly impressive. There’s a total lack of supporting information about the program. A support forum with a single post, and a "Buy" link which gave us a "Forbidden" message. A little background research gave us a real company and person who appeared to be behind the site, so we don’t think it’s malicious (the program itself scored 0/57 at VirusTotal), but this still seemed odd.

  Still, TailExpert is only at version 1.0.0, so maybe they decided to finish the program before the website. Either way, it’s a feature-packed log analyzer and an excellent troubleshooting tool. Go take a look.

  
• 

  Google turns virtual doctor with health advice through the Knowledge Graph

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 12:07pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  We're a global nation of hypochondriacs; Google has revealed that 5 percent of search traffic comes from people looking for health and well-being information. To help with any queries you might have about your body and different conditions, the search giant has furnished Knowledge Graph with a raft of medical data.

  Got a funny looking rash? Google could help you to determine whether you have something to worry about, or whether it's something that's likely to clear up on its own. Knowledge is power, and medical knowledge is what Google is trying to arm people with to avoid the worry that comes with uncertainty.

  The problem with Googling health problem is that, ordinarily, the results that are thrown up are entirely uncurated. You might find some valuable advice, but you are equally likely to find quack advice which is potentially dangerous. The difference with the medical information made available through Knowledge Graph is that real doctors have been involved in information-gathering and fact-checking.

  Introducing the feature in a post on the Google blog, Prem Ramaswami said:

  We worked with a team of medical doctors (led by our own Dr. Kapil Parakh, M.D., MPH, Ph.D.) to carefully compile, curate, and review this information. All of the gathered facts represent real-life clinical knowledge from these doctors and high-quality medical sources across the web, and the information has been checked by medical doctors at Google and the Mayo Clinic for accuracy.

  Of course Google wants to protect its back -- there's no guarantee that data provided through the Knowledge Graph is one hundred percent accurate, and it's certainly not going to be a complete replacement for visiting your doctor. There's the disclaimer:

  That doesn’t mean these search results are intended as medical advice. We know that cases can vary in severity from person to person, and that there are bound to be exceptions. What we present is intended for informational purposes only -- and you should always consult a healthcare professional if you have a medical concern.

  The feature will be rolling out over the next few days, and can be accessed on phones, tablets and computers -- just ask natural-language questions. For now it's US-only, but there are plans for a wider release as well as information about more conditions and treatments.

  Photo credit: Africa Studio / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Safer Internet Day tips for parents

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 11:28am CET par Ian Barker

  

  It probably hasn't escaped your notice that today (10 February) is Safer Internet Day. This is intended to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people.

  Online advice site Knowthenet.org.uk -- operated by the Nominet domain registry -- has published some new research looking at the attitudes of parents to their children's use of social media and finds that whilst it has a generally good effect there's still a need for caution.

  Parents are mostly positive about social media's effects, with 27 percent saying it has helped their children make new friends, 23 percent that it helped them feel more included and 18 percent that it helped them feel more confident.

  There are some worries though with 24 percent saying that their child was unhappier since using social media and 31 percent that their child had been upset by something they'd seen on a site. 42 percent of parents say they don't set any time limit on their child's internet use.

  In response to the findings Knowthenet has put together some handy tips for parents. These include:

  • Being open with your child about social media sites and listening to any problems they may be having.
  • Setting time limits on internet usage and if possible keeping smartphones and laptops in communal spaces rather than allowing them in bedrooms.
  • Checking the privacy settings of social networking sites to ensure children don’t over share information or get exposed to anything they shouldn't be.
  • Educating yourself about how sites work in case of a problem and remembering to check the policies of social networking sites: both Facebook and Twitter have age limits of 13 for example.
  • Finally, set a good example yourself. If parents are constantly checking and updating social media sites it sends a message to children that they should be doing the same.

  For more information on keeping children safe online and understanding internet safety in general you can visit the Knowthenet website.

  Image Credit: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Manchester City Football Club scores its own wearables app

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 11:17am CET par Sead Fadilpašić

  

  Manchester City has claimed the title of the world’s first football club to create an app for Android Wear smart watches.

  The app is called CityMatchday Wear, and it can be downloaded for free from the Google Play store. It offers club related news, goal alerts and notifications for different events, such as yellow and red cards, penalties, team sheets, match details and substitutions.

  The app also provides a textual commentary on the games, as well as a compilation of best tweets from Manchester City fans around the world.

  "CityMatchday Wear is another example of how we are constantly exploring and adopting new technology with the ultimate goal of improving the fan experience and strengthening fans’ engagement with the Club", said Diego Gigliani, director of Media and Fan Relationship Management. "We recognize the smart watch market is still in its early stages but its popularity is projected to increase rapidly as new players come into the market. We’re thrilled to get in early and start discovering ways to tap into the devices’ potential".

  Manchester City is currently in second spot in the Barclays Premier League, lagging seven points behind leaders Chelsea.

  City have failed to win in their last four Premier League games, drawing with Hull City, Chelsea and Everton, and losing to Arsenal, showing how important Yaya Toure is to the team.

  In the past month, the midfielder has been participating in the African Cup of Nations, where he played for his home country, Ivory Coast.

  On Sunday night, Ivory Coast defeated Ghana on penalties and were crowned champions of the African Cup of Nations 2015.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Video chat with your pets using Microsoft's Skype -- adorable puppy video inside!

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 5:49am CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  I'm a dog guy. No, really; I'm all in on this canine thing. You know those weird people that dress up their dog in clothes? I'm that guy now. Having never owned a dog growning up, I used to laugh at people that did that, but now I am having birthday parties for my little puppy. Heck, I even dress her up for Halloween and go to Petco for the costume contest! Believe it or not, I'm not alone in this behavior. More and more people are treating their pets as family members and even treating them as equals.

  Today, Microsoft touts a new use for its popular communication solution, Skype -- keeping a loving eye on your pets. Yes, some people cannot bear to be away from their pets for long amounts of time. With Skype, you can monitor your furry family member using a webcam. With that said, I must warn you; there is an adorable example video below that will melt your heart.

  "We've tried to make it as easy as possible for you to keep in touch with your pets no matter where you are or what device you’re using. To help show an example of how families use Skype catch up with their pets, we met up with Lilly and followed her to the pet hotel where she had just checked in for the weekend", says The Skype Team.

  The team further explains, "even while Lily's mom and dad are on holiday, they like to check in on her throughout the day to say hi and make sure she's relaxing as much as they are. With a quick Skype video call, Lily's parents were able to talk to Lilly through Skype on TV. By catching up together, Lily's parents gained some peace of mind knowing that Lilly was in good hands".

  Obviously, pets cannot operate a webcam or device on their own (unless you have a chimpanzee, maybe), so I am sure you are wondering how the chat is initiated.  As you can see in the video above, the human that is caring for the dog takes care of this.

  Ultimately, this allows the dog owners (parents) to relax knowing that the dog is safe and sound. The dog may be calmed as well, hearing and seeing her mommy and daddy.

  By the way, how adorable are the dogs in the video? OMG, I can't even!

  Will you Skype with your puppy or kitten while away from them? Do you do this already? Tell me in the comments.

  
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  Need a bigger cloud? Microsoft has 100GB of free OneDrive storage for you!

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 2:07am CET par Mark Wilson

  

  It's difficult, if not impossible, to have too much storage space. There has been a slow, but steady move to the cloud, and there are numerous names vying for attention, from Google Drive and Mega to OneDrive. Numbers talk, and it's the amount of free space that can sway users to one service or another.

  Google has been giving away Drive storage with Chromebooks for some time, and now Microsoft is getting in on the action. Agree to receive promotional emails through Bing rewards, and you can bag yourself an extra 100GB of OneDrive storage completely free of charge for the next two years. If you're in the US, that is. Or if you use a proxy...

  It's a pretty straightforward offer. Pay a visit to the Bing Rewards page, click the OneDrive offer and then indicate that you're happy to "receive promotional emails from OneDrive". That’s all there is to it. Oh... it's worth noting that "you can unsubscribe at any time". It's not clear whether this will result in your free storage being removed, so you might want to set up suitable filters to prevent your inbox from filling up with junk.

  Once the two years are up, you'll have to stump up the cash for the extra space or lose it, but until then, just enjoy the extra breathing room.

  It seems that the offer is only officially available to those within the US, but there's nothing to stop you from using a proxy service to, say pretend you were in the US even if you're not. S'up to you...

  
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  Forget that invitation, Sling TV comes to the masses as cord-cutters rejoice

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 1:15am CET par Alan Buckingham

  

  Cutting the cord, the phrase commonly used to describe those who get rid of cable and satellite service for their entertainment, has become part of the modern lexicon. Now Sling, the box maker that enables TV sharing, has its own version of internet TV. This one is designed to compete with the likes of Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix, but is a bit pricier than its rivals.

  Sling TV was already announced, but until now it required an invitation. The floodgates are now open as that restriction gets lifted. As of now, anyone can sign up for an account, getting access to a wealth of TV shows. These include channels such as ESPN, HGTV, Food Network and more. The first is the most intriguing -- the possibility of watching live sports without the need to use sketchy services like Wiziwig.

  The service promises "the best of live TV -- sports, hit shows, movies, and breaking news". That's quite a lot to live up to and much of it will depend on the bandwidth of each user.

  If you sign up now then you can grab a seven day free trial, and Sling promises there is no commitment of any sort -- you can cancel service if you aren't satisfied. To find out more just head to the Sling website. Fans of live sports have been waiting for something like this.

  
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  Imgur Pro is now free for everyone

  Publié: février 10, 2015, 12:26am CET par Mark Wilson

  

  It’s a free for all as Imgur Pro goes free for all! The image sharing site is celebrating its sixth birthday by handing out gifts to its users rather than expecting to receive them. As of today, everyone is able to take advantage of unlimited storage on the site, but of course there is a -- very slight -- catch.

  You don’t get owt for nowt, and the cost of free in this case is ads. Imgur has long been ad-supported, and now Imgur Pro has gone down the same route. Now that everyone has access to a Pro account, they have access to more than just extra storage space.

  If you want to keep track of how popular the images you upload are, you can monitor this using image analytics, and you'll also gain access to extra thumbnailing options. Emails have been sent out to existing Pro subscribers, but the news was also broken in a post on the Imgur blog:

  It’s been an amazing six years for Imgur. What began as a simple image uploading service has transformed into a community of the Internet’s most dynamic visual storytellers. Imgur has become the best place to explore, share, and discuss the Internet’s images–and we couldn’t have done it without your support and loyalty. We’re looking forward to many more years of uniting the universe through images with you.

  Enjoy the free stuff!

  Don't worry if you recently coughed up for a Pro subscription -- you might be able to get your money back. Providing you upgraded in the last 30 days, you are entitled to a full refund. If you're rocking a subscription, your account will remain ad-free until your subscription period runs out.