Synchronize with Syncplicity or Live Mesh

To bring your digital thought under one roof there is a continuous product innovation in the form of high-end laptops to iphones, while to sync and update your digital world and all the information that is important and all that you least cared for can now be accessed from anywhere anytime-check out on Syncplicity and Live mesh.

Gone are the days when you will need a file back up, when you increasingly run the risk of forgetting to copying them to the USB drives on your way down the presentation hall or the feeling of annoyance as you fail to attach the file to your email.

These are the myriad reasons why software programs like Syncplicity, Live Mesh is created and make Foldershare a passé.

What does Syncplicity or Live Mesh do?

They have finally put an end to downloading, burning, emailing and copying. Syncplicity can keep all your files in-sync and up-to-date across all computers without compromising on the security features. Similarly, Microsoft Window’s Live Mesh helps you connect to another computer and gives access to other’s desktop as if you are working sitting right infront of it.

How to go about it?

In Live Mesh to sync, share and access, install live mesh software in all the devices you want to synchronize and choose folders you wish to sync. As you sign up with Windows Live Mesh you need to Live Mesh client on all the devices you join to the Mesh known as the Mesh Operating environment (MOE). Helpful features such as a Mesh bar and a Notifier keeps you updated with a continuous feed of information as to what is happening in the synchronized folder. Live Mesh simply awes you with cross-functionality features too whereby your live desktop can stay connected with your friend’s Mac too.

Syncplicity is the brainchild of Leonard Chung that bridges the world of online and offline effectively and safely with speed and simplicity and works on Windows platform. It takes utmost care of all your files. For example if one file accidentally gets deleted then it is not lost from the system, instead it is stored in the recycle bins of respective windows. Syncplicity helps integrate data across all multiple computers and integrates with Zoho, Google, Scribd and Picnik. Registration, installation and getting started with Syncplicity is very easy.

One can always start off with a free subscription of 2GB space and two computers and then upgrade to almost 50 GB for just $9.99 per month with syncplicity. Whereas in Live Mesh you have 5GB free storage space initially. This implies that you can create files and store on Microsoft’s servers that you simply can access from anywhere.

In syncplicity it is easier to add files in the sync folder than in the Live Mesh Syncing folders. However it is Syncplicity’s conflict resolution management system that eats up the available storage place as the original copy of the files are kept and additionally it creates other copies of the file (1 from each machine of the sync group). So in the process of synchronization, chewing up the remaining space happens and the message that you have exceeded your quota is flashed. It is here that Windows Live Mesh scores better as shadow copies of files is not kept in the file system and thus the additional storage place remains unhindered when conflict arises.

The future of cloud management storage is picking up and everywhere the buzz is all about cloud computing. Check out my next post on cloud computing too.

New Epic Browser

It’s the browser which takes to the world of websites and makes our browsing experience better with the variety of add-ons stuff. No wonder, there is a competitive war with these browsers in the market to capture for web-audience. Since earlier days, when we had only 2 prominent browsers like Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer, we have come across a long way and now have the options like Mozilla Firefox, IE, Google Chrome, Mac Safari and so on….

In this browsers domain, here is the latest entrant and that too from India. Hidden Reflex, a Bangalore based startup, came with another interesting ‘Indian’ browser, called the ‘Epic Browser’.

This has been developed based on Mozilla. This browser wants to capture the Indian audience with the service offerings like share market and Cricket updates, video streams and more.

It also has a built-in Antivirus solution to prevent malwares and Trojans etc. This bowser has over 1500 applications and also it supports Firefox add-ons. So to catch it live why don’t you try it …. You can download Epic browser from here.

Happy Browsing !

We all love Google Chrome to surf the net. As an added fun and functionality, Google Code Labs have came up with something very interesting called “Google Chrome Extensions” and there is an array of such extensions available to suit your kind-a-needs.

Now, what are Google Chrome Extensions?

Extensions are small software programs that can modify and enhance the functionality of Google Chrome. You write them using web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

Though there are hundreds of Chrome Extensions are available from the Google Chrome Extension Site, still we have handpicked some 12 Extensions to share with you.

Lets Check them out !

Google Mail Checker Plus:

Displays the number of unread messages in your Gmail and Google Apps inbox. Preview mail, read, delete, archive and mark as spam!

Google Translate:

This extension translates entire webpages into a language of your choice with one click. This extension adds a button to your browser toolbar. Click the translate icon whenever you want to translate the page you’re visiting.

The extension also automatically detects if the language of a page you’re on is different from the language you’re using for your Google Chrome interface. If it is, a banner appears at the top of the page. Click the Translate button in the banner to have all the text on the page appear in the new language.

Learn more about Google Translate at http://translate.google.com/support/?hl=en

Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer (by Google):

Automatically previews pdfs, powerpoint presentations, and other documents in Google Docs Viewer. This one is one of the very popular extensions of Chrome.

Google Buzz Notifier:

With the launch of Google Buzz, here comes quickly the Chrome Extension as well. This one is one of the coolest new member of Google Chrome Extensions. With this check your Buzz right from Google Chrome!

Webpage Screenshot:

Fast & Simple solution to save JPG screenshots of any webpage. The first extension that captures the whole page. Fast & Simple extension to capture the whole webpage. Even long pages are saved in one image file. This extension lets you save PNG image of any webpage. Designers can choose to resize the window before capturing.

It works as a local extension. It means that the extension doesn’t send ANYTHING to any server. It can work even when there is no internet connection.

Feedly:

Feedly organizes your favorite sources in a magazine-like start page. A magazine-like startpage. A fast and stylish way to read and share the content of your favorite sites and services. Provides seamless integration with Google Reader, Twitter, Delicious, YouTube and Amazon.

RSS Subscription Extension:

This extension auto-detects RSS feeds on the page you are reading and upon finding one will display an RSS icon in the Omnibox, allowing you to click on it to preview the feed content and subscribe.

The extension comes with 4 feed readers predefined (Google Reader, iGoogle, Bloglines and My Yahoo) but also allows you to add any web-based feed reader of your choice to the list.

Google Dictionary:

With this extension, you can:

1) Double-click any word to view its definition in a small pop-up bubble.

2) View the complete definition of any word or phrase using the address bar dictionary.

Both features are configurable via the options page.

One Number:

This “One Number” checker extensions and you think that your Chrome toolbar is just a little too crowded, and you want to free up some of those buttons but you can’t bear to sacrifice the functionality.  What if you could gather your favorite Google services into one button… the unread counts into One Number?

One Number offers previews of unread items, a UI that fits with Chrome, the ability to selectively choose which services you want to check with One Number, and two-click access to open all services with unead items at once.

Orkut Chrome Extension:

The orkut chrome extension allows you to receive orkut updates and scrap notifications. The popup menu allows you to quickly jump to a friends’ page, search on orkut, visit your home/scrap/photos pages and share sites on orkut.

Have fun really! With Chrome Orkut Extension, your Orkut friends are even more closer, Isn’t it?

Blog This (by Google):

Add a BlogThis! button to the browser toolbar, which lets you post to your Blogger blog from any webpage with just one click.

Once you add the BlogThis! button to your browser toolbar, blogging will be a snap (or rather, a click). Click the button to open Blogger in a new application window. The new post is pre-populated with a link to the web page you’re on, as well as any text you’ve highlighted on that page. Edit the post to your liking and post it instantly to your blog!

Google Voice Extension (by Google):

Notifies you of new messages and gives you quick access to calling and free SMS via Google Voice. It adds a button to the toolbar, which displays the number of unread messages in your Google Voice inbox.

Please note that SMS is only available for accounts with a Google Number. SMS is not available in voicemail only accounts.

Overall, please note that when installing the extension it says “This extension will have access to all browsing history and private data on all websites” This is the default warning for any extension that needs content script access to all websites. These extensions does not collect any data about any website.

Guys, hope you will enjoy installing and working with these Google Chrome Extensions. Don’t miss out RSS Subscription to get updated with some more exciting stuff !

We all love Google Chrome to surf the net. As an added fun and functionality, Google Code Labs have came up with something very interesting called “Google Chrome Extensions” and there is an array of such extensions available to suit your kind-a-needs.

Google brings Nexus One to enter into Smartphone arena

Here is the internet supergiant Google in the world of smartphone with its latest product Nexus One and in direct competition with Apple iPhone. Google is now vying the smart phone market and is trying to establish and build its market presence in the world of communication coupled with Web technology.

Nexus One is powered by Android Mobile Technology Platform 2.1 and Snapdragon 1GHz core processor. It is the look of the latest Google smart phone that is mind blowing. Nexus One is slimmer, slightly thinner as well as lighter than the iPhone. Nexus One measures 119mm in height, 59.8mm in width and 11.5mm in depth. Additionally, the weight of Nexus One is slightly lighter than iPhone that is 130 gms in comparison to 135gms of iPhone. This high-end smart phone from Google is Android’s signature gadget.

The display of Google’s smart phone will be through 3.7 inch WVGA-AMOLED capacitive touch screen with picture clarity of 800 x 480 pixels. It is through this screen that most of the navigation happens and is quite a pleasure to watch. The snapdragon processor is fast and is able to handle multiple applications without much discomfort.

Officially the phone has up to 7 hours of talk time, 5 hours of internet use and up to 250 hours of standby time on 3G, 7 hours of video playback and 20 hours of audio playback.

Now we see how the new Google Nexus One gives competition to other Smartphones, specially with Apple iPhone.

Keep Reading !

Google Voice: An internet based telecommunication service

Its telecommunication, that Google has been experimenting with in recent pasts. Google voice is a service or application that integrates all your phone no.s into one and takes away the worries of managing many contact no.s. Originally, it was GrandCentral, who started the service but Google acquired GrandCentral in 2007 and re-launched the service on 11^th March 2009 with the name Google Voice.

This service is available as invite only. When you sign up for Google Voice first time you can choose between your any of the present numbers and a new Google number as the single point of contact. The calls coming on this no. are forwarded to other phone numbers that user configures while signing up. Depending upon the caller group, calling time and calling number you can decide which number should ring when.

With this as the basic feature let’s have a look at what else Google voice has to offer us:

• It offers free calls and SMS in US and Canada
• International calls are US $ 0.02 per minute. Can it get cheaper than this?
• Call Screening :

1. You can divert calls directly to voicemail box.
2. Notification or announcement of callers based on their numbers.
3. Blocking calls from specified numbers and automated identification for blocked numbers.

• You can record your calls and archive it online.
• Voicemail transcripts: You can view your voicemails as messages online or you can listen to them on any of the phone numbers.
• Voicemail messages are notified through SMS and e-mail.
• Voicemails can be forwarded and downloaded also.
• Based on the calling number we can set personalized greetings for the caller.
• It also provides the facility of conference calls.
• While a call is in progress you can switch phones without disrupting the call.
• Caller’s id is also forwarded along with the incoming call to your various phones.
• When you make a call, you need to make it through the Google Voice service by calling Google Voice no. and using menu choices or by using the web-based portal to place a call.

This unique concept of centralized number is only available in US as of now but Google has given indications about launching it in other countries as well.

Microsoft, as an answer to Google Voice is planning to launch Bing Ring in January 2010 in a limited beta version.

Keep reading to know more about Bing Ring….

SPDY: Protocol that will make web 2 times faster.

Its Google again, all set to make the web at least 2 times faster. SPDY (pronounced as SPeeDY) is the research project that it has taken up to make this happen. As Google puts it “SPDY is an application layer protocol for transporting content over the web, designed specifically for minimum latency.” In simple terms, it aims at making the interaction between browser and server faster.

It creates a session between the HTTP application layer and the TCP transport layer, above SSL (Secured Socket layer) and uses several techniques to make the interaction between browser and server faster:

• Multiplexed Streams: It permits multiple and concurrent streams over a single TCP connection, unlike HTTP. Streams are bi-directional flow of bytes across a virtual channel with in a SPDY session.
• Request Prioritization: Using this technique a client can request as many items as it wants from the server and assign a priority to each request.
• HTTP Header compression: SPDY compresses request and response header, which results in fewer packets and fewer bytes to be transmitted.
• A major enhancement to HTTP is server initiated streams, which is not found in HTTP. Server initiated streams enables the server to transfer content to the client, even when client does not make a request. This is done in two ways:

1. Server Push: Server pushes data to client via the X – Associated – Content header. This header informs the client that server is sending the information to the client before the client asked for it. This will remarkably increase the initial – page download speed.
2. Server Hint: Using X – Subresources header, server suggests the client that it should ask for certain resource. Server will wait to send the resource until the client asks for resource.

So far Google has developed a prototype SPDY enabled Google chrome browser and an open source web-server. After conducting a test by downloading top 25 web sites 10 times, it was found that the download speed increased by (up to) 55%. The browser and the web server have to be upgraded, where as no changes are required in web pages.

After testing under lab conditions, Google has a major task to make it work in real-life condition and make it compatible with other browsers like internet explorer, Firefox.

Google comes up with Google Commerce Search

Google Commerce search is a product that is hosted on cloud and is a software-as-a-service offering aiming at online retailers. When a consumer visits an e-commerce portal, searching for a product or a number of products is one of the basic and most widely done tasks.

Hence, in order to make it a pleasant experience for the consumers to find a product, collaboration with Google search technology for the same, makes it fast and customizable.

Let’s have a look at the features of Google Commerce Search:

• Visitors to the online shop can take the advantage of parametric search i.e. sort their search by category, price, brand and on many similar criterions.
• It provides automatic spell-check, advanced synonyms and stemming option coupled with Google speed, search quality and ranking capability.
• Site administrator has the privilege to manage product promotions and in this capacity he can promote specific products, vendors or product categories at the top of the search results.
• You can change the look and feel of both your search engine as well as search results and can integrate search results into other application using the XML API.
• As it is a software-as-a-service offering, the deployment and maintenance is very simple and economic. As soon as there is an enhancement that is developed, it would be available to the online retail enterprise. There is Google Commerce Search support for assistance in case of any difficulty.
• Use of integrated Google analytics enables the enterprise to have customized      reporting and statistical analysis.
• Google Commerce Search being a hosted solution, it ensures the continuity of good quality search experience even there is a sudden rise in site visitors specially  during the holiday period, hence it provides immense scalability.

It’s working:

After signing up for Google Commerce Search, the steps to be followed by a site administrator are:

1. He must submit the product data to the Google Merchant Centre and Google Product Search and upload the items through www.google.com/merchants via data feeds, direct upload or API
2. He should log into the administrative console to manage product promotions, upload synonym dictionaries and control parametric search option.
3. He can get an idea about the site usage and effectiveness using Google analytics.

Its pricing model is based on the number of products in your data feed and the number of search performed on the site each year.

Also, check out the video at YouTube :  Google Commerce

Check out http://www.google.com/commercesearch/# to have a real experience of the latest product from Google which is right in time with holiday season approaching.