Pogoplug has launched a new privacy adapter, Safeplug, which the company says can add internet anonymity within seconds by re-routing all internet traffic through Tor. The compact box, priced at $49, pushes web use through Tor’s randomized path of interconnected computers, which are commonly used by journalists, activists, and others wanting to avoid being observed […]
Windows Phone owners have long had the option of backing up their photos to SkyDrive, but Microsoft hasn’t extended that courtesy to other platforms so far. The company must be feeling a little more generous today, as it just introduced automatic camera backups to SkyDrive for iOS. The update lets snap-happy users preserve both pictures and video, while the bandwidth-conscious can limit connection types and image sizes. There are a few welcome improvements to the app whether or not you plan to safeguard your gallery, including an iOS 7-themed makeover and the choice of opening documents in either Office Mobile or OneNote.
SkyDrive’s web client is getting a smaller, Facebook-oriented tune-up at the same time. Sharers can now get a preview of what their photos will look like on the social network, upload to existing albums and set permissions before the transfer begins. While the web upgrade isn’t quite as helpful as the new iOS app, it should minimize the chances of any SkyDrive-related social mishaps.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Storage, Internet, Mobile, Microsoft, Facebook
Via: Inside SkyDrive
It’s easy to worry about internet privacy these days, but it can be a pain to set up a Tor connection that keeps the snoops and thieves at bay. Pogoplug wants to simplify the process with its newly available Safeplug adapter. The peripheral connects to most any internet router and uses Tor to anonymize all web requests that pass through, saving the trouble of launching a special browser every time you want to keep your data secret. It can also join the Tor network to help safeguard others’ information, if you’re feeling generous. While the Safeplug won’t be much help when you’re away from home, it’s relatively cheap at $49 — a small price to pay if you don’t want anyone tracking your web surfing habits.
Filed under: Peripherals, Networking
Source: Pogoplug
It’s set to be a holly jolly holiday season, especially if you’re keen to do your gift shopping online. Google’s browser-based Shopping tool just scored a pretty comprehensive refresh, complete with a handful of new features designed to make it easier to browse, search for and select a variety of items. A new preview pane lets you view colors, sizes and a product description, along with online and retail store availability, while an updated Shortlist tool gathers “maybe” items in a temporary cart that resides at the top of each page. You can also get a good look at everything from cameras to handbags to toys with the interactive 360-degree viewer, now available for select items. Google hopes that last tool will help deliver an “in-store feeling,” but to complete the experience, you might also want to climb aboard an RV and set up shop in a Walmart parking lot the night before Black Friday with a “free restrooms” sign on the door. Happy holidays!
Filed under: Household, Internet, Google
Via: The Next Web
Source: Google
With the FAA now easing restrictions on electronic devices that can be used in all phases of flights, airlines are moving to offer WiFi service during more of the flight. Southwest Airlines has announced that it will become the first carrier in the US to provide passengers with gate-to-gate WiFi service. Southwest is likely to […]
Wikipedia has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Texus publicity firm Wiki-PR over its alleged practice of “sockpuppeting,” or posting articles for pay that make its clients look good. The open-source encyclopedia launched an investigation last month into the practice, which is a strong violation of its terms of service. That revealed over 300 phoney accounts stemming from the PR outfit, which it allegedly used to create articles for its clients that appear to be from unbiased sources. Wikipedia lawyers also accused Wiki-PR of “meatpuppetry,” or using false identities to advocate certain positions in its user discussion forums. The site has closed all the fake accounts, saying the practice harms its reputation, abuses the labor of volunteers and can actually hurt the reputation of Wiki-PR’s client firms — if they’re exposed by the press. Meanwhile, Wiki-PR told The Independent that “it’s working with the Wikimedia foundation and its counsel to sort this out.” Judging by its name alone, though, it might have to throw out its entire business model to do that.
Filed under: Internet
Via: The Verge
Source: Wikimedia.org
Google is creating a fiber optic network to bring faster connectivity to one of Earth’s biggest, yet somehow most internet-disconnected, continents: Africa. With Project Link, the search giant is offering Uganda’s capital city a reprieve from dial-up speeds and shoddy uplinks by offering local internet providers and mobile carriers access to its broadband network, which they can in turn offer to their respective customers. According to Mountain View, only 16 percent of the continent’s some billion residents are online; hopefully this initiative is the start of bumping that number significantly. Still, the implementation is in the hands of Kampala’s data providers — we’re crossing our fingers that they don’t muck up Google’s graciousness with greed and high prices. As it stands though, this seems like a much more, ahem, grounded method for bringing the internet to remote areas than balloons ever did.
Filed under: Wireless, Internet, Google
Via: Official Google Africa Blog
Source: Project Link
Vint Cerf, Google’s chief internet evangelist, is famous for having some, um, strong views
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Did you move to the Kansas City area too late to register for Google Fiber? Don’t fret — Google has both reopened sign-ups in the region’s 180 current fiber neighborhoods and detailed an upcoming expansion. Those in existing Fiber areas can sign up for service by December 22nd, with installations due by the spring. Meanwhile, those in outlying locations such as Gladstone, Grandview, Kansas City North, South Kansas City and Raytown will get a chance to sign up in March.
The search giant has also provided a brief explanation of how Austin residents will sign up for Fiber service when it’s available in their town. As in Kansas City, Austinites will be organized into fiberhoods that have to meet registration goals within a few weeks to qualify for a deployment. There’s still no word on just when the process will begin, although the mid-2014 service target doesn’t leave much time for Google to get the ball rolling.
Filed under: Networking, Internet, HD, Google
Source: Google Fiber Blog (1), (2)
Mobile writers just got a little more control over their masterpieces. An upgrade to Google Drive for Android now lets users find and replace text; they can also insert tables and named styles. A few file management tweaks are in store as well, such as a new two-column view on tablets and an option to rename scanned documents before they reach the cloud. Those eager to edit with the new Drive tools should receive the app update within the next few days.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Play
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