Posted by: glasskeys | 06/07/2011

Get 5GB of free cloud storage using SugarSync for Android, the iPad or iPhone.

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I recently read about SugarSync which is another “cloud based” backup/sync service available with free accounts of 5GB. It is available on a variety of different platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, the iPad and iPhone, Windows Mobile and the Blackberry.

The concept of course is very similiar to Dropbox, but offers more robust features and the ability to set multiple folders on a desktop for use much like a Dropbox folder. A note to the paranoid: SugarSync is not as secure as DropBox in that the file contents are encrypted after arriving to SugarSyncs’ servers via SSH connection. So if security is a primary concern for you (or your clandestine organisation) in my view you should investigate SpiderOak or Wuala.

If you prefer ease of use and features slightly more sophisticated for cloud based storage – signup for a free SugarSync account. Next tap or click the links below to download a client for your target platform.

Verdict: Get SugarSync for the iPad and iPhone here, and Android Market devices here.

Disclaimer: I am not associated or employed by any company producing software reviewed on this site.

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UPDATE 05 Dec 2011: Read this for instructions on how to integrate SugarSync with GoodReader.

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Posted in Android Tablet Applications, Android Tablets, iPad, iPad Applications, iPhone, iPhone Applications | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: glasskeys | 06/03/2011

How to quickly enable “ad blocking” on Android CM7.

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To quickly enable “ad blocking” on Android CyanogenMod you can utilise an old Linux/*nix trick — addition of entries to the /etc/hosts file to resolve to 127.0.0.1 (localhost) so that all ad serving network domains point to…nothing.

In proper English this means that any location that matches an “ad serving” web address instead points to the local machine, and therefore never get loaded.

To start using your own “ad blocker”, save this file on your Android CM7 tab. For purposes of this tutorial we will assume the location is in the /sdcard/download folder. Next open the Terminal Emulator and at the $ prompt type the following commands:
$su
#cp /sdcard/download/hosts.txt /system/etc/hosts
(tap y key at the prompt)

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Posted by: glasskeys | 05/31/2011

How to save Dropbox files locally with Android Cyanogen Mod 7.

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I use Cyanogen Mod 7 with my Viewsonic G tablet and recently needed to access and download a file saved in Dropbox. In times past most of the files were text documents that I could use the built in viewer in Dropbox to manipulate. However some files such as APK (Android applications) or music files I prefer to access in a different manner or place in another location in the CM7 filesystem. I use the native Android application available for free on the Android Market here.

The key point to remember is to tap and hold the file you wish to download so that a menu will appear giving you further options (Open, Download, Share…, and Delete). The location of downloaded files using the File Manager application will be found in Home(root folder)/mnt/sdcard/dropbox.

If using the Terminal Emulator application, simply type the text following each “$” prompt to view a list of currently downloaded files:
$ cd /sdcard/dropbox
$ ls

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Posted by: glasskeys | 05/28/2011

Opera for the iPad, iPhone, and Android.

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Reading recently that the Opera web browser has been released for the iPad, iPhone & Touch, I decided to give it a whirl myself on all of my tablets & phones. This means the iPad, iPhone, including Android on my Viewsonic G tablet running Cyanogen Mod 7 (CM7).

On all devices I was impressed with the speed of the browser, especially on sites with many images and AJAX source.

The settings menu has some interesting features including the ability to render images in a lower quality which makes for an even faster browsing experience. The Mobile View setting needs some tweaking as it seems to make absolutely no difference at all in how pages are rendered. Case in point, I turned off “Mobile view”, fully closed the Opera browser, reopened and entered news.google.com in the address bar and noticed no change with the page still appearing in mobile view.

Mobile web browsing is generally a lousy experience and because the mobile mode makes litte or no difference this is the biggest fault I can find with Opera on both iOS and Android. Luckily, most sites offer a view in desktop option at the bottom of their pages and selected and reloaded again you will find that Opera truly shines.

Opera Mobile on my Android tablet generally seems to be a slightly faster and a better experience overall than the iOS version, especially in regards to its better handling and support of video. (For an example of this browse to guardian.co.uk and select an article with video content. Sorry iOS users.) One downside using Opera on Android is that fonts seem “rougher around the edges” than the iOS version of the browser.

Verdict: Get Opera Mobile for Android from the Android Market here, and Opera Mini for the iPad and iPhone here. If you have an another type of mobile, open this link using your phones browser — you may be in luck as Opera supports many devices.

Disclaimer: I am not associated or employed by any company producing software reviewed on this site.

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Posted by: glasskeys | 05/25/2011

How to use Dropbox with the Nook Color.

Todays tutorial will demonstrate how to use Dropbox with the Nook Color. Although there is not a dedicated Dropbox application for the Nook Color yet, there is a way to use Dropbox via a web interface. There are limitations though, for starters the Nook Color is fairly “locked down” and will permit uploads of Gallery images, music tracks and QuickOffice documents, Although all downloads appear to have a final destination in the My Downloads folder, not all file types will open. For example, I have tried using this technique to open a downloaded APK file AKA Android App purchased on the Android Market and the Nook would not permit execution and recognised it was not purchased on the Nook App shop.

To begin open the Nook web browser with a tap of the Web button on the Nook menu:

Read More…

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Posted in Android Tablet Tutorials, Android Tablets | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: glasskeys | 05/24/2011

Torch and flashlight applications for the iPhone.

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I have recently found two flashlight apps for the iPhone that enable use of the iPhone camera flash as a portable torch. The first application known as Droid Light, throws in a strobe light and a text to morse code function. You can also opt to customise your own “switch” images that appear on screen if you so desire.

The second application iHandy Flashlight Free also offers fun items such as S.O.S., emergency flashing lights, a mad hypnotic animated “spiral”, neon signs and many others.

I prefer the Droid Light for its fast ability to simply use my camera flash as a torch, but for fun the iHandy Flashlight Free application is also worth the download.

Verdict: Get the Droid Light here and iHandy Flashlight Free here.

Disclaimer: I am not associated or employed by any company producing software reviewed on this site.

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Posted by: glasskeys | 05/23/2011

25,000 visits and counting.

This morning glasskeys.com has passed the 25,000 visit milestone. It is quite humbling to know that in the short time span of 4 1/2 months, people from around the globe have read this page and have been helped to solve an issue, or had a question answered concerning their tablet or mobile device.

The icons at left are what I like to call “referrer badges” that appear in site stats, these have been collected by me since I decided to “do something to make a difference” – starting with the first introductory post on New Years eve.

Thanks again for reading – Stephen G.

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Posted by: glasskeys | 05/22/2011

Status…

I have been taking a bit of a working holiday this week. Some new upcoming tips are in the pipeline for Wuala, Dropbox, and Goodreader. A couple intersting apps will be reviewed and a custom remote printing utility for tablet users written by Yours Truly that I am excited about (source will be available for Mac and Windows). Stay tuned mates.

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Posted by: glasskeys | 05/19/2011

Use Quickoffice Pro on the Nook Color to write documents, spreadsheets & sync with Dropbox.

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If you are looking for an “office suite” application for the Nook Color, Quickoffice Pro is currently your best bet. The app must be purchased from the B&N App shop as the Android Market is currently not available for the Nook Color.

Along with the ability to save documents in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and view Adobe PDF documents, the app also permits syncing with Dropbox. This is a “must have” for any modern mobile user. The screenshots above show App shop purchase and icon, and instructions on how to setup your Dropbox account to sync with Quickoffice Pro.

Verdict: If you need a well-behaved office application, get Quickoffice Pro on the App shop.

Disclaimer: I am not associated or employed by any company producing software reviewed on this site.

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Posted by: glasskeys | 05/16/2011

Use Bing to scan QR Codes or for text recognition on the iPhone & iPad 2.

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Many are aware of Bing as a search engine, but do not know of the extra features that the Bing application has that set it apart from the typical “Plain Jane” search application.

I must confess I was highly skeptical of the viability of Microsoft pulling off a successful search engine, especially in light of the disastrous Zune, handling of DRM formats, and botched tablet efforts. But more and more I found myself turning to Bing, especially as Google results seemed inundated with content farm and targeted keyword search sites.

The Bing application at first glance looks simple. Search options are listed vertically and the screen may be scrolled down to reveal all categories: images, maps, local, movies, news, directions, travel, check in, plans, shopping, social, and weather. Nothing exceptional so far. However – and this is a big however – if you tap the camera icon at the top right of the screen it will reveal a treasure trove of hidden features that are, well, quite handy actually.

For starters, after the camera icon is tapped you will find that it is excellent at scanning QR Codes and bar codes. QR Codes of course are the now ubiquitous dotted static patterns present on everyones business card (thanks to the innovative minds of the Japanese that started the trend).

I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Bing is also good at text recognition. (See the screenshots above for examples of this functionality.) These two features alone in my mind justify the free download.

Verdict: Get Bing from the App store here.

Disclaimer: I am not associated or employed by any company producing software reviewed on this site.

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Posted in iPad, iPad Applications, iPhone, iPhone Applications | Tags: , , , , , , ,

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