Free online/cloud storage space for free

The fight for cloud space is going on for a few years. In this post will try to list out the free online storage space an individual can get.

Google Drive - 15GB - This includes all the file attachments in gmail, documents in google drive and the high resolution photos in google+.

Microsoft Skydrive - 7 GB - Intially they were giving 25 GB now its been reduced for new sign ups to 7GB.

Dropbox - 2 GB - (nothing much to explain :))

Amazon Cloud Drive - 5GB - Yes, the latest addition to online free space is amazon.

Apple iCloud - 5GB (optional) - This is optional because you cannot use this like google drive or dropbox. You can sync up docs from iwork, notes etc. So not included in my calculation.

So around 30 GB of free online storage space is available free of cost for individuals.
I agree managing documents across different vendors is another headache but this post is just an analysis on free online storage space and not a recommendation on which one to use :)

Lets which other big players are jumping into online storage and giving us more free storage.

Note: Most of them have offline access too which is more convenient than managing in browser alone.

Add any website as Default Search Engine in Chrome

It is easy to add any website as you default search engine in Chrome. We can do this in two ways.

1) Open a new tab / new window in Chrome and right click on the address bar. Select -> Edit Search Engines

or

2) Open Chrome's settings window and click on Manage Search Engines

This window will show your default search engines and a lot other available search engines.
Scroll all the way to the down and add any of your favorite website and Click OK.

Open Manage search engines window and hover over your website and Click Make Default.
Now any keywords you search in Chrome's address bar will be searched on your website.

Play audio from YouTube without video in iPhone

Ever wonder how to play the YouTube songs without the video or display in iPhone. "Yes", it is possible with a little workaround but it works like a charm.

Steps:
1) Play your song or music from YouTube in your iPhone
2) Press the home button (This will pause the audio/video)
3) Press the home button twice quickly (Similar to double click in a computer)
4) You will see the iOS task manager
5) Keep your finger on the task manager section and "Slide from left to right"
6) You will see the Orientation lock, Previous, Play, Next and YouTube icon.
7) Press the play button and listen... :)
8) Only audio will be played and video will be disabled.

Note:
You can press the home button and lock your iphone - the music still goes on.
The above steps works for music, pandora and most music related apps.
Step 2 is little annoying, but this is a workaround. 

Sometimes, I listen to songs/music which are not in my collection. Hence, this saves my battery and it don't look like I'm watching videos during official hours... lol... :)

Chrome Remote Desktop - the easy remote access

Nowadays most of us have multiple computers. Remote desktop is good for official use but setting it up for personal use at home is kind-a geeky. We have few options for remote access computers over internet but they either need you to create online profile, install software and/or pay for premium access.

Google’s, Chrome team released an beta extension “Chrome Remote Desktop” for remote access over the internet. It requires you to install the extension in both of the computer’s chrome browser. It is cross platform because it resides inside the chrome browser.

It generates 12 digit dynamic numeric code whenever you want to share your desktop. To access the shared computer enter the 12 digit and connect.

This helps you in accessing your own multiple computers and also when you want to help others (by remotely accessing their computer). I started using it regularly. Its easy to share, access and some of my remote desktop problems are solved :)

I did not look into the IT side of this remote desktop, but as a strategic move - Google is making things simpler.

Will Apple sue Google with “slide to unlock patent”

Apple recently received patent for their iOS start screen feature "slide to unlock". You might have seen the iPhone keynote by Steve Jobs. He explained the unlock feature is a swipe to the width of the screen and it is to avoid accidentally unlocking the phone.

Android also has the slide feature to unlock the start screen as default option. They also have the custom lock screen pattern through Settings --> Location and  security settings --> Use visible pattern.

Apple’s is aggressive in protecting their Intellectual Property or blocking Android manufacturers (esp. Samsung) from selling their devices. (Stories of Apple suing Samsung in Dutch, Australia etc and Samsung suing Apple in Germany) :)

Steve Jobs view of Android is “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I'm going to destroy Android, because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this.” as per Walter Issacson.

Do you think, Apple will sue Google (Android) using this patent???
And what if Google patents the notification feature and sue Apple back???

Lets see only time will reveal us the news... :)
Share your thoughts and predictions in the comment section.
For more details on the patent: Patently Apple

Google unifying their product UI's

A few months back, google changed the login UI for their products. Recently they started pushing the new - look and feel inside their products (docs, calendar, blogger) and still a lot more to come. The new UI is based on HTML5, it has a nice, clean look and navigation.

If you want to enable the new look, click "Try the new look" option on the top right corner and "Switch back to old interface" to change back.

Google docs:

Image source: Servicethisblog

Blogger:

Image source: Google Operating System

Google Calendar:

Image source: GoogleTutor

Upcoming Gmail UI:

Image source: Google Operating System

Quick tip about Google Chrome's UI (from version 15 - in beta now)

Image source: Chrome Blog

If you are interested in more details:
YouTube Video's: Gmail and Blogger

Sharpen your googling skills - A Google a Day

Google had launched a daily trivia puzzle game called "A Google a Day". [Its a bit old info, but I wanted to share :)] The questions are bit tricky that the user will not get the answers just by searching the question. They have to use their creativity and search skills to find the answers.

It is created by Daniel M Russell, who is a search researcher @ Google. You can read more about the AGAD in his blog.

Google is using a tweaked version of its search engine called Deja Google for this puzzle site. It leaves the recent webpages / updates like twitter feeds or the published answers about the questions. They do not want us to find the answer immediately or directly, we have to use our search skills.

Yes people I can hear you... Google is a search company and want to find out how searches are performed in the Internet. But, hey its fun to learn something new once in a while and they are making it the Google way - The simple and fun way... :) :) :)
Answers for previous day question is posted in Geek Dad

Android Emulator not running

Sometimes the android emulator hangs with a black screen while booting the emulator. This happens when the emulator is not used for few days or months. 


The following steps will help in resolving this issue:
1) Open the AVD manager (Using eclipse: Window -> Android SDK and AVD manager or 

AVD manager button in tool bar)
2) The below AVD manager window will open:

3) Select the virtual device which you want
4) Click Start, a small pop up with Launch Option will open
5) Uncheck the "Launch from snapshot" option. 

By default, the android emulator will have the "Snapshot" option enabled during AVD creation.

Note: The current removal of "open from snapshot" option will not change the existing setup in the AVD. It is only for the current run.

Share your thoughts (email / comments) on the other ways to overcome this android emulator problem...