Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"There was a time long, long ago when Download.com was the place I went for software. It's been years, however, as the site repeatedly showed signs of devolving into a site every bit as bothersome as the many third-tier software repositories that hide genuine links below clever-placed advertisements and bundle toolbars with their "certified" local downloads."

Well isn't this just an ugly corner CNET's Download.com has backed themselves into. They're apparently taking freeware applications such as VLC Media Player and wrapping the installer inside another installer...and the CNET installer includes toolbars and other ad-based crapware. By all accounts, they seem to be doing it without the permission of the developer who's software it is they're "wrapping". What a mess. I hope the developers rise up and take their software off of Download.com. Without key software to drive traffic, Download.com is just an empty shell...

"Microsoft tonight showed a new approach to copying and moving files in Windows 8, the next version of its PC operating system - aiming to clean up, clarify and consolidate the jumble of dialog boxes that Windows users have dealt with for years."

The above screen shot is more than a little geeky - let's face it, an average user isn't going to click on More Details to see this - but I really like this. Now if I could only figure out why file transfers to my HP Windows Home Server start out at 90 MB/s and drop to 5 MB/s after a few minutes. Sigh...

"Windows 8 will be bringing with it native support for USB 3.0 controllers, writes Microsoft's Dennis Flanagan, Director of Program Management for the Devices and Networking Group. This is in contrast to previous versions of Windows, which continue to require separate drivers for USB 3.0 controllers."

I am old enough to remember the days when Windows did not come with native USB 2.0 drivers. That lovely reminder that when plugging in that USB device, warnings would pop up either telling me that the device could work faster and better no longer plague my dreams, but remind me of a time when drivers were a nightmare. Drivers still are a nightmare, but with a stable computing environment over the past decade has created a nice environment where some devices such as keyboards, mice and USB flash drives, worked without any hassle, at least to some basic level.

With USB 3.0, it looks like we will have to suffer a short period of time where extra drivers will be needed. Now if they could only make it so things like standard functions for printers and only need drivers for extra functionality, the job of an IT tech would be that much easier.

"Do you have too much info to remember? Do you wish you could take all your passwords, credit cards, account information and logins with you - so they're handy when you want them? But keep them safe - so you don't have to worry about intruders finding them? You need eWallet GO!TM If you want secure, easy, mobile storage for all your info, just grab eWallet GO! and take your passwords with you everywhere you GO!"

Well now...here's a good deal! Effective now and running until the 21st of this month, you can get eWallet GO! for a mere 99 cents on Windows Phone 7, Android, and iPhone/iPod Touch devices. On Windows and Mac versions, the software is free. Sweet! Jump here to find the version you need. The OS X version is in the Mac App store, and the Windows version requires registration for the free download. On iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7, you'll find it in their respective app stores.

"Knowledge is power. And if you have People Power 1.0, People Power’s new mobile Energy Services Platform, you can use knowledge to save power – and money. People Power 1.0 is an open and extensible cloud-based platform that allows you to monitor up-to-the-minute household energy usage from an iPhone or Android smartphone."

If you are ready to upgrade from using your Kill-o-Watt meter to track your power usage, and your electric company has not caught up witht he times, it may be time for some People Power. Living in a digital world means that we consume electricity; sometimes a lot, sometimes just a little. The way to minimize your electrical footprint though, is to know what you use that sucks up juice. What looks most useful is that you can track individual devices relatively easily thorugh the use of their powerstrips, instead of just getting the use of one device at a time, or of your whole household. While you can figure out what uses how much power the old way, a lot of extra hassle is involved, and that might just be enough hassle to push your energy tracking project away a few weeks, months or even years.

"But what if you can’t wait? Or what if you haven’t subscribed to the Jobsian reality distortion field? Certainly, there must be ways to replicate the iCloud experience with existing services. It turns out there are—in spades. The challenge is in paring them down. Once you do that, you can get everything you get from iCloud—and more—for free if you’re willing to mix together a cocktail of services. Here’s your shopping list."

Now that Apple has announced its iCloud service, the whole cloud industry is going to get a huge shot in the arm from the added attention. If you are someone who is either impatient, or not privy to the Apple world, there are a wide range of cloud services that you can take advantage of, some which can even mostly replicate the exact same services that iCloud will bring. The biggest thing you should pay attention to, though, is how efficient each service is. I imagine that the draw of a lot of these services is that you will have access to your digital life from anywhere, and that means data. And at least for Canada, and large growing part of the world, that means that your data caps may come into play.

Product Category: File Sharing Utility

Manufacturer: iTwin, Inc.

Where to Buy: Amazon [Affiliate]

Price: $99.99 USD

System Requirements: Windows 7, XP or Vista (32-bit or 64-bit)

Specifications: Size: 90mm x 21mm x 8mm; 50g. Symmetrical USB (2.0) connectors, LED activity lights.

Pros:

• Easy to use.
• Can connect two computers to copy files when other means don't work.
• Easier than connecting to a remote file share.

Cons:

• May not be as good as connecting to a file share.
• Needs access to company's server to operate.
• No local help or trouble-shooting options.

Summary: This is a unique little device that enables secure file sharing between two (and only two) computers, and may be just the thing you need when other methods are blocked by company firewalls or home routers, or are simply too difficult to set up by a novice user. The company's slick marketing-oriented web site may over state its features, but it works well. Read more...

"At first blush, paying a monthly amount to "borrow" content like this over the net seems like a pretty good idea. Many of us have used Netflix or Hulu and become accustomed to the idea of paying our monthly subscription fee and getting to watch as much as we want. Both of these companies have done a fantastic job with their offerings. Netflix has become so popular that it recently surpassed the amount of Bittorrent ("pirate") traffic on the web, proving that it's compelling offerings, not lawsuits, that win customer's hearts and minds. But if Hulu and Netflix are so fantastic, what's the concern about Spotify?"

Spotify is a popular music service newly available to US customers. James Allworth over at the Business Insider has written a post suggesting that you may want to think twice before committing to a service like Spotify, which he describes as a music renting service, since you could be subject to a bait and switch tactic that may effectively force you to pay more money for the same service in the future. His argument is certainly plausible, but not everyone will agree with his premise. So, the question is: how do you feel about the Spotify service and are you concerned about future possible price increases?

"Cammster doesn't require a download or special software, and works in all browsers and platforms. Just sign up for a free account, and when you leave home, leave Cammster open in a browser window. Select the level of motion sensitivity you want to trigger the service to start taking pictures, and walk away. If motion is detected that exceeds the threshold, the service will start taking snapshots and email you with a link where you can see the images as they're uploaded."

Webcams are pretty common these days. Many monitors come with them built in, and they are not very expensive to add as a USB plug-in if you need one. How often does it get used though? For most people it almost certainly has zero use when no one is home. That could all change if you would like to consider using it for a little home security detail. Cammster is a software application that works in all browsers on all platforms. The typical Cammster use scenario is that you leave your dwelling with the computer turned on, the webcam connected to the Internet, and the Cammster program running. If movement is detected in the field of view of the webcam, the program will take photographs with the webcam and will save the pictures to the Cammster site. You can then be notified by SMS (text messaging) and/or email that a pictures have been taken due to motion being detected. Note that motion detection sensitivity can be set to take into account pet or other object movement. Pricing for the service varies depending on how you choose to get notified (e-mail alerts are temporarily free).

"Here, we'll show you how to set up FreeNAS on the computer of your choice, connect it to your other computers as if it were directly attached to them, and show you a few simple examples of how you could use it for backup, iTunes music streaming, or video streaming to a home theater PC."

If you are someone who likes to keep up to date with the newest and greatest hardware, you most likely have an old computer sitting somewhere gathering dust. It's not old enough to just throw away but not quite new enough to satisfy your computing needs. So, what should you do with the old box? Why not install FreeNAS and turn it into a networked backup, streaming, or torrenting machine? Lifehacker has a great how to documenting the procedures of transforming your old machine into a networked NAS system. Click the read link to get all the details and report back on your experiences.

"Dropbox may be the most popular service for syncing files and storing them online, but that doesn't mean it's the best. Some of us are currently considering Dropbox alternatives due to recent security or privacy concerns, while others just want to see what else is available. Here's how Dropbox stacks up against four other major online syncing services: Windows Live Mesh, SpiderOak, SugarSync, and Wuala."

As we continue our march toward high dependence on cloud-based, online storage, services like Dropbox become household terms. If you were to ask someone to recommend an online storage service, Dropbox might be the very first one mentioned. But is it the best? That is what the folks at Lifehacker set out to consider with another of their effective articles comparing technology alternatives. This time around they are considering the Dropbox service versus four competing alternatives: Live Mesh, SpiderOak., SugarSync, and Wuala. In a nutshell, each of these services provides facilities for storing and backing up your files, sharing them with others, and keeping them in sync across multiple computers and/or mobile devices. Each one has some unique capability, and each could be a "best fit" for your needs. The Read link has the complete story and will help you identify which service deserves your (possibly) undivided attention.

"You may remember Hamster Soft's drag and drop video converter, which we've mentioned before. Their new eBook converter is very similar: drag and drop an eBook onto the app, select the destination device or file format, and click convert. The app also supports batch file conversions from multiple formats."

Whether you have a Kindle, Nook or iPad, eBooks are a great way to pass the time and there are an increasingly wide range of options to get your reading love. The problem is that not all eReaders are equal, and you can find yourself in a situation where you absolutely must read every Harry Potter book now that its gone digital, but find that your eReader spits it back out as if it were Twilight. Being able to convert your eBooks might be handy, but just be aware that if you got anything to read that is DRM-laden, your optoins may be limited.

"This week, we will release an update to Windows Live Essentials 2011. In addition to changes that improve performance and quality of service, the update also includes full support for SSL in Windows Live Mail, and the latest Bing bar. Here are a few of things we think you'll find the most interesting: Mail: We fixed a sorting issue in the Sent items folder and improved the upload reliability and instrumentation in Photo mail. Messenger: We fixed a couple of stability issues and made various changes for improved voice and video quality. We fixed an issue that was causing sound to be lost after upgrading, and we improved performance when displaying the MSN Today page in the main window."

The download is available now, so go get it! I don't see Live Mesh listed, but I'm dearly hoping they improved the performance and made it less hard-drive-hammery (it kills performance forever after a reboot).

"Microsoft's online file storage service, Windows Live SkyDrive, has been a teeth-gnashing flail ever since its introduction. It looks like a bunch of file folders sitting on a hard drive -- but you can't drag and drop files and folders into one another or right click them to copy and paste or do any of the other things you've been able to do in the Windows file system for more than a decade. There's some kind of tie into Office Web Apps, but it's weird and inconsistent -- you can upload files directly from a menu item in Office 2010 apps, but not from earlier versions of Office. You can do some things from the browser, while other features require you to open a desktop Office app."

The idea is enticingly simple: use cloud-based storage to access your files from virtually any Internet-based device. Even if you have never used the Dropbox service, you have probably heard its name, and have an idea what it does. Similarly, you may also have heard of Windows Live Skydrive, but are not completely sure of what it offers. The two products are not identical in functionality (e.g. Dropbox offers file synchronization across devices, while Skydrive does not, although Microsoft offers this functionality in other ways, namely Windows Live Mesh), but they do have some overlap. What makes this article interesting is its description of how the interfaces for the two services compare. If you have used both services, let us know in the comments if you agree with this author's contention that Dropbox is just easier to use.

"Having to sync all your music between devices is annoying. Luckily a number of cloud music services allow you to stream your music to nearly everything—laptops, tablets, smartphones—with minimal effort or tech know-how. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on your needs; here's how to figure out which one's best for you."

Lifehacker takes a good look at the various cloud music services out there, and has a pretty balanced write-up on each of them. I do wonder, with data plans becoming more restricted in the US, and with most of the services aimed at the US market, would anyone really want to stream their music to their phones instead of just storing it on them?

"So starting today, we are launching a new version of the SkyDrive website. We took advantage of modern browsers and HTML5 to make SkyDrive faster, easier to navigate, and more beautiful for viewing photos."

Microsoft will soon be launching a new version of the SkyDrive website using HTML5. By using HTML5, SkyDrive will be significantly faster. For example, selecting folders and photo albums will now take only 100-300 milliseconds instead of the current 6-9 seconds. In addition, by building the new SkyDrive using HTML5 on a modern browsers, such as IE9, it will be able to take advantage of hardware accelerated graphics thereby making it faster to click through photo slideshows. Navigation is also improved is this version with the addition of SkyDrive Groups and the elimination of ads.

Watch the video above to get an overview of the new SkyDrive.

"Like the HiFiMan, the Pocket HiFi plays files stored on SD cards (MicroSD in this case,) so you'll never run out of room on your hard drive. It also gives you S/PDIF digital inputs and outputs, and a full sized 1/4-inch headphone jack with a powerful amplifier for driving serious cans."

Seriously. Stop for a minute and think about the last time you heard about a non-iPod portable audio device. I bet it's been a while. There used to be quite a bit of talk about the Creative Zen, the Nomad, Toshiba Gigabeat, and more recently, the Zune. If it indeed has been a while, then have a good look at the Pocket HiFi from Colorfly. Check out the hand-crafted wooden case. Look at those connections on the bottom edge. Contemplate those user controls, and consider that this device can handle super high-rez 192-kHz 24-bit files, which it converts using a high rent CIRRUS Logic digital to analog converter. Intrigued? Hit the Read link to get you back into the "study" of portable audio.

"In October of 1998, the US Senate passed an amendment to United States copyright law criminalizing the production and distribution of technology that would allow consumers to thwart technical copy-restriction methods. Essentially, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, as it is known, makes it a crime to circumvent anti-piracy measures and outlaws the manufacture, sale, or distribution of code-cracking devices used to illegally copy software. This amendment forms the basis for all that has followed. And there has been a lot to follow."

All you have to do is see or hear the words "Copy Protection" and your mind starts to wander. What can you do and not do? What type of copy protection is in place? What are the legal implications of breaking it? No question, this is complex subject matter that has greatly influenced the handling of digital and analog media. That complexity often tempts some people to ignore the issue and try and circumvent it. A little understanding of the issue would provide some insights as to how copy protection arose in the first place, how it has progressed, and what the future might hold. Fortunately, MaximumPC has provided just such an understanding in a nicely written history of the issue and mechanisms used to achieve it. It's a great primer and a nice weekend read.

"It’s been a busy time for cloud storage and music services and Apple’s launch onto the scene with Apple iCloud has officially declared it global war. The lines have begun to blur as to what you own, where you own it and just how much you have to pay for the privilege to do so and one could be forgiven for doing a little head scratching on the matter."

In these last few months we've seen a few big players jump into the cloud storage/music service arena. The latest being Apple with iCloud. Apple joins Google Music Beta, Amazon Cloud Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft SkyDrive. Each of these services have pro and cons over their competitors. To help sort it out, Pocket-lint has written up a comparison of all of these services.

Personally, I use a combination of these clients. Amazon Cloud Drive for my music. Dropbox for my files. Microsoft SkyDrive for my Windows Phone 7 camera roll backup. Apple iCloud for my iPhone 4 backup. I'd probably use Google Music Beta too if I had an invite. And this is pretty similar to Pocket-lint's conclusion. How about you? Do you use one of these services exclusively or are you like me? Is there another service you'd recommend over these?

"But the similarities don't end at the two future desktop OS's mobile influencers. Both Lion and Window 8 will make heavy use of touch interfaces, but with a big difference, as you'll see in the slideshow below. Both will have an App Store, both have full screen app views, and both offer new ways to switch among and navigate within apps."

PCMag.com has put together a quick comparison of some of the differences between the upcoming new versions of Apple's and Micrsosoft's desktop operating systems. While not a comprehensive overview, it does cover some of the major areas that many people will compare, including: similarity of the new operating system's user interface to the same platform's mobile system counterpart, touch and gesture support, processor support, task switching approach, support for full screen apps, each platform's app stores, backward compatibility, and some of the unique features of each platform. The article makes lots of interesting points illustrated by some screen captures.