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.

Learn to code in "Codecademy"

Codecademy - usually pronounced as "Code Academy" is an education start-up to learn programming.

For a long time, I wanted to learn programming / coding but most of the time(s) I fail in the setup or not able to understand/grasp what that program is intended to do. :)

Codecademy is really a different way to approach programming. You do not have to get in to the hassle of setups. They have the simulator in their website, where you will code for each and every lesson/exercises. Every course is progressed with multiple small and simple examples and exercises. Don't be scared when I say exercises. They have the hint's right there to help you. I love it learning by doing, because it sticks with me more that just reading.

The exercises or courses are not designed with basic training in mind (for people like me. :)) People with any age can learn and grasp it easily. And if you are intermediate/advanced programmer, they have Codecademy Labs

They have courses in web fundamentals (html + css), javascript, ruby, python and jquery. All courses are free. They have a lot more than courses, a very big community presence, where you can:

• ask help for the exercises you stuck on
• discussion forum on any of the course related topics
• individual interest groups which you can join and participate
• and so much more

I like their formula for constant self-motivation by showing:

1. exercise points (day & total),
2. streak (for continuous days you learn coding)
3. badges (for different activities being completed)

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.

Bokeh Effect in Gimp

Ok guys, this my attempt to create the Bokeh effect in Gimp. I'm not gonna post any steps because I'm still learning about Gimp and designing... :)
I just followed the tutorial posted in the PA Blog. This blog contains lots of info about graphic design.

I am sharing this image and if you want you can use it.

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... :)

Batch - makes it easy to create Facebook albums from phone

As we all know pictures taken through mobile camera are more than pictures taken using camera from count perspective. (I'm not trying to compete against SLR or professional photos). Casual photos are mostly clicked using mobiles phones. But most of them stay in the mobile except a few gets uploaded to social networks.

If you feel lazy like me to upload multiple pictures or creating album from your phone to Facebook (FB), then Batch is the app for you.

You have to login using FB id.
Batch let's you create albums called batches.
You can tag people on the entire album instead of each photo.
It lists if any of your FB friends shared an album using batch.
You can share the album to FB or post a batch link to Twitter.
It's handy and few of my last albums are through batch.

You can organize, change and update albums in batch. And upload or overwrite in FB or Twitter.

So far i feel its effective and easy to create FB albums. Let me know your opinion once started using.

Technology is breaking cuffs

Recently I started using my mobile for most of my social networking, browsing and casual game needs. Earlier I was not using mobile so often (lol...). Since then, this thought has been running in mind for quite sometime. And here is the result, a  new post. :)

Corporations block external emails and social networks (Agreed, they block because they don't want to loose productivity). During those days, we use to wait until we hit home to check our personal emails or social networks (This was the case for me too, until I got my iPhone). Nowadays 1 in 3 of us own a smartphone with data plan. This gives us the freedom to check social networks or personal emails anytime/anywhere. We are also using our data plan to check / reply official emails immediately after waking up, during lunch, before sleep and configuring calendars to keep track of our meetings.

 My point here is, the gap between professional life and personal life is shrinking day-by-day. I used to visit few tech sites whenever I feel like taking a quick break from work. But nowadays I'm checking my social networks and news feeds in my mobile - don't have to worry about the blocked sites by corporate network.

So I'm thinking that corporations are indirectly loosing their restrictions enforced on employees. This is just a thought for discussion, not to convey that I'm using social networks all my productive hours in office. lol...

Share your thoughts or views about how technology changes your day-to-day activities in the comments.

Back to my buddy blogger!!!

Hello, it's been a while I posted in my blog. And I really missed the blogging. Hence here is a post to give quick updates on what happened in the last few months.

It's been busy from the holiday season. Working, having fun during day offs & seriously thinking about job change (lol :-))

Finally, joined new job and right now all is well, so back to blogosphere.

Ok guys enough of my life updates. Will meet you soon with A fresh new post.

iPhone photos to computer

I was talking to one of my friend and we ran into a conversation of how to transfer iPhone photos to computer. Here is a small post about it.

Now a days we all carry mobile phones with camera and taking/sharing more pictures in mobile phones. I carry an iPhone so I’m giving the steps to transfer iPhone photos to computer. We do not need iTunes or sync up for this.

Steps for Windows users:
Camera mode:
1) Connect iPhone to your computer using the charging/sync cable
2) Open “My Computer” in your windows computer 

3) iPhone will be displayed as “Digital Camera”
4) Double click and open it as a folder and subsequent folders until you see all the pictures taken in iPhone
5) Now you can cut/copy/remove the photos you like

Import mode:
First time users may not be able to see the pictures in that case follow the steps below:
1) Connect iPhone to your computer
2) Windows will prompt with the Auto play window
3) Click “Import pictures and videos”
4) Import pictures window will be displayed
5) Click Import settings to find out where the photos are going to be imported

If you are a first time user and do not want all the photos to be imported.
1) Follow the 4 steps in Import mode
2) Close the Import pictures window
3) Click Yes for cancel importing
4) Now follow the steps provided in Camera mode

Ask me your questions through comments, if you face any other issues while copying iPhone photos to computer.


If you want to know how to make your own ring tones for iPhone: Read here

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.

Use Bing to book cheap tickets

Bing has a built-in price predictor powered by expedia which can be used to decide and buy your flight tickets cheap.

Whenever we want to check for cheap airfare, we use the Internet travel websites like Orbitz, Expedia etc., But we don't know when the prices go up or down. Making decision on buying or waiting for cheap ticket price is the tricky part.

The Price Predictor in Bing helps in resolving this issue, not 100% but to some extent.
Enter your From and To destination in Bing's flight search. In the results page look at the Price Predictor Tip. The predictor is so simple and more details can be found under the Details & Fare history.

You can set up your fare alert to get emails about the change in airfare.
 Nowadays I am using this to book my flight tickets for cheap price. It’s really helpful, try and feel the difference.

Swivl - million possibilities for video making

What is Swivl:
    Swivl is a small gadget for the video loggers. It can track the user movement in multi direction (Right - Left & Up - Down). It has a mount and a marker. The mount follows the marker’s movement and aligns itself to keep you in the frame. Your phone’s camera can be controlled using the marker. No external setups are required.

The problem with self made video and video chat is that the cameras are static and it cannot move along with the user. I was amazed with the number of possibilities Swivl opens for self made videos and video chats.

Nowadays all our phones (iPhone & Android) are coming with higher megapixels. And the video quality is really very good and we always carry our phones. Swivl is designed to hold phones, digi-cams and camcorders. Swivl can be mounted on tripods, so the height can be adjusted.

You can watch the video to find out the possibilities. I’m pre-ordering mine, how about you?

Speedup your computer by stopping unwanted startup programs

This is a simple way to speed your computer without any external or 3rd party softwares. Startup programs are (full or part) softwares that loads, when you start/boot your computer.

Whenever we install new softwares, most softwares by default add them to startup list. Some provide an option during installation, but we hardly notice that option (its either a checkbox or a quick msg display). After a period of time, this makes Windows start time to rise constantly.

Windows comes with a small utility called “msconfig”. Using msconfig you can deselect some unwanted startup programs. These may be your most used programs but you dont want them during startup.

Steps for Windows / Windows 7 user:
1) Click Start button
2) Type msconfig in the Search box 
     (Note: XP, 2000 and below - Type this in Run window)
3) Select the startup tab (picture below)
4) Uncheck the programs which you know and feel they are not necessary during startup
(Leave the processor and OS related softwares)
5) Click Apply and OK
6) Click Restart and you are done. (You can choose to restart later also)
7) Your computer will boot little faster than before

iOS 5 features you want to know - Part 1

After updating to iOS 5, I am slowly exploring the different features and changes they made. I am trying to cover those from an end user perspective, skipping the most advertised or already known features.

1) Zoom:

Zooming has been changed to pinch action in iOS 5, just like when you zoom a photo or a web page. Double tap / single tap on the screen is used to focus an object on the screen.

i) Open camera app

ii) Use pinch action (zoom inward or zoom outward)

iii) Adjust your zoom level and take the picture :)

2) Maps
    Route suggestions are added in iOS 5. Three suggested routes appear when we search for directions. Double tap the Route number to select that particular route.
    i) Open maps app
    ii) Search for direction (Start & End)

    iii) Double tap Route number to select

3) Reader
    Reader feature has been added to Safari browser. The reader mode is really good / nice to read the contents of a web page. It skips the unnecessary ads and makes the fonts little bigger for easy reading. You can add web pages to reading list using “Add to reading list”, just like how you add URL’s to book mark any website
    i) Open Safari app
    ii) Load any web page
    iii) Click the Reader button (in Safari address bar)
    iv) Read the contents quickly and easily

4) Purchased Apps
    Now app store has ‘Purchased’ link under updates. All your downloaded / purchased apps are available there (including deleted apps, so you can re-install later). If you run into a problem of losing all / few of your apps, this helps to recover your purchased apps. But you have to install apps one by one, there is no bulk install. You can hide some app from showing in that list by swiping your finger (right to left or left to right).
    i) Open App store
    ii) Select updates tab
    iii) Purchased link displays on the top

5) Snooze
    Yeah, its not a new feature but the changes made to the snooze button during alarm is nice. Alarm now has the “Snooze” button displaying in red, which is easy to see when you look at the phone from sleep :)
    i) No different steps guys, just the same old steps... :)

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

How to create your own iPhone ringtones

Everybody (including myself) wants to have a nice ringtone for their iPhone. May be a latest song or music or even their own voice. Is there a way to create custom ringtones for free? Yes we do, it just takes few steps.
Searching for ringtones in internet, ringtone creators and your own voice ringtones are covered at the end of the post.

Create your Ringtones:
Step 1: Open iTunes
Step 2: Select the song you want
Step 3: Right-click and select “Get Info”

Step 4: Select the “Options” tab and set the “start and end time”. And click OK.
     iPhone has a restriction to keep ringtones for 30 seconds. You can choose any 30 seconds in the song. Listen to the song couple of times and decide your 30 secs or less.

Step 5: Right-click the song and select “Create AAC version” and wait for few seconds. (pic 3)
    iTunes will create 30 seconds AAC version. Now you have the full song and the ringtone.

Step 6: Right-click the ringtone and select Show in Windows explorer. (Refer pic 1 and pic 3)
Step 7: You will be able to see the song with m4a extension.
    If you don’t see the extension, Google and disable hide extensions options

Step 8: Now copy the m4a file and save in different folder (where you planning to keep all ring tones)
Step 9: Rename the copied file extension to m4r (pic 5)
    Click Yes / OK in the pop up window

Step 10: Double click the m4r file and it will automatically open in iTunes in Ringtones section.
Step 11: Sync your iPhone with iTunes enabling the ringtone option. All your ringtones will be included in your iPhone
Step 12: Right-click the your 30 second ringtone in iTunes and select “Delete”
    Choose “Remove” and “Move to Recycle bin” in the next options. This is to clear the 30 second version. You don’t want to have that in you library and disturb during playback. And also right-click the original song, select “Get Info” → “Options” → deselect / un-check the start and end time. This is because iTunes will keep this in memory and play the song for 30 secs.

Your own voice as ringtone:
    1) Use the voice memo app to record your singing or phrase or quote
    2) Sync your iphone
    3) Follow steps 1 to 13 and you have the ringtone with your own voice

Searching the web for ringtones:
    You can search iPhone ringtones in internet but sometimes they are not with good quality or not what you expected. The sites that offer ringtones may not be reliable some times.

Ringtone creators:

There are 100’s of apps to create ringtones directly in iPhone. All they are doing is creating the m4r version directly in your phone. Still you have to follow copy that file to different folder and double click the m4r file. Here is a quick demo for one of the app: Ringtones

5 Things to do before upgrading to iOS 5

1) Delete useless apps:
    Delete unwanted / unnecessary apps from your device. To delete click and hold the app for few seconds, all the apps will shake with an X mark on the left hand side. Click the X mark and confirm deletion.

2) Sync your iDevice:
    Connect your iDevice (iPhone, iPod or iPad) to the computer, open iTunes. Your phone should be displayed in the iTunes and it should be the same computer which you used for the initial sync or the regular sync. Click sync. This will transfer all your purchased (paid / free) apps from iPhone to iTunes and vice versa.

3) Back up your iDevice:
    Check if you already have a back up. Choose Edit → Preferences in iTunes and go to Devices tab and check for the back up file. Otherwise back up your device by right clicking on the device name in iTunes and select Back Up. This will take some time depends on the data in your device. Be patient.

4) Download and install  iTunes (10.5):
    Download and install the latest version of iTunes from apple.com or through the apple software update in your computer. Open iTunes and click iTunes store, give your apple user id and password. (If you had forgotten your user id, you can fix it in this link)

5) Upgrade to iOS 5:
    After completing these steps, open iTunes, connect your iDevice. Select the device in iTunes and click Update button. It will prompt to download only or download and install. Choose download and install. Sit back releax with a few songs in your iTunes library.   

Guys, this is a very quick inputs for the iOS5 upgraders. No much time to take detailed screen shots. These steps will save your time and energy during upgrade. Shoot me your questions in the comments section, will try to help you.
More detailed steps: iOS5 upgrade 

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

Siri - new speech computing from Apple

Yesterday, when Apple announced Siri, just like most people I was also amazed. In my opinion its a big step in speech computing and it will definitely change the way we use mobile devices. When apple released iPhone and opened the app store, it completely changed the way phones are being used.

Now with Siri, we can talk to our phone to practically control the iPhone tasks. You don't have to talk in robotic voice or remember the commands to talk to Siri. It lets you talk just like you are talking to another person. The most important feature is Siri recognizes the meaning of the sentence and gives the answer. "What is the weather today in Phoenix" and "Get me Phoenix weather" will read / give the same result and it even pulls the Phoenix weather on the screen. How awesome is that!!!

How to activate Siri:
Hold the home button for few seconds (Just like enabling the voice control in iPhone 4)
In hands free environment, hold the answer button in your blue-tooth for few seconds.
Siri will be activated and you can talk or ask questions - it will find the information.
It is integrated with Wikipedia, WolframAlpha, yelp and other sources for useful information.

What you can use Siri for:
Check weather, check stock prices, find restaurants (results are even sorted based on yelp review stars), read and reply to text messages, create reminders, set alarm, find time in different country / zone, compose email, get directions, search the web and many other things.

Siri comes integrated with iPhone 4S (no luck for iPhone 4 users). It is in beta and might have few rough edges. But, I am sure Apple will resolve these and add more features. If Apple opens Siri API for iOS developers then we are going to see so many creative applications flooding the app store. Lets wait, watch and explore the change...


Photos by Lifehacker & All Things D