20 February 2018

Ultrasound could waken a sleeping smart home


 The home of the future, we are assured, will be swarming with tiny sensors: security cameras, carbon monoxide detectors, speakers, and everything else. Few need to be running all the time — but how do you wake them up when they’re needed if they’re off in the first place? Ultrasound. Read More

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How to Keep your Folders on FTP Server and Google Drive in Sync


How do you connect an FTP server to your Google Drive or Dropbox for transferring files in either direction automatically?

Well, the easiest option would be to use a desktop FTP client like Cyberduck (supports Mac & Windows, free) or Transmit (Mac only, paid). These software applications can connect to all the popular cloud storage services including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and Amazon S3. They can perform a remote-to-remote sync allowing you to recursively transfer files and folders from the FTP server to any cloud service and vice versa.

The only issue with using a desktop application is that it needs to be run manually on your computer. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could set up a task that continuously monitors your Google Drive (or Dropbox or OneDrive) for new files and automatically copies them to a specified FTP server?

Transfer Files from FTP Server to Google Drive

Enter Microsoft Flow, an online automation service that lets you create automated workflows similar to Zapier and IFTTT. The free plan lets you create unlimited workflows and each workflow would run every 15 minutes. And it is the only service in town that can simultaneously talk to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and FTP /SFTP servers.

google-drive-ftp.png

Let’s create a connector that will upload a copy of the file to Google Drive whenever a file is added to Google Drive. You can similarly setup workflows to sync files from a folder in Dropbox to folder on FTP server. Or connect to Gmail and download emails to your FTP server automatically in the background.

  1. Go the Microsoft Flow Connectors page and activate the FTP (or SFTP) service.
  2. Next select the trigger that should start the workflow. In our case, we’ll choose “When a file is added to the FTP server”
  3. Specify the host address, the username and the password for your FTP server. If you are using SFTP, you may also need to specify the SSH private key and passphrase.
  4. On the next screen specify the full path of the folder on the FTP server that should be monitored for new files.
  5. Click “Add an Action” for the New step, choose Google Drive from the connector list and set the action as “Create File”
  6. Select the folder in Google Drive where the files should be saved, set the file name and file content fields from the list of available files so they match the incoming file name and content.

Save the flow and test. Also checkout the documentation page to know about the various actions and triggers available for the FTP / SFTP connectors in Mcirosoft Flow.


Use Macros in Excel on Mac to Save Time and Do More


mac-excel-macros

Excel on the Mac has not always been the same powerhouse it was on Windows. Macros really wouldn’t work unless they were created exclusively for the Mac. Starting in 2013, Microsoft brought back macros. There are two types of macros: those you can create by quickly recording your actions, and those that use VBA to design more advanced automations. With Office 2016, Excel is using the same codebase on all platforms. This change will make it easier for macros to work across platforms. So let’s take a look at how this currently works on macOS. Enabling Macros in Excel on...

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Instagram Direct one-ups Snapchat with replay privacy controls


 Messaging is the heart of Snapchat, so after cloning and augmenting Stories, Instagram is hoping to boost intimate usage of Direct with privacy controls not found elsewhere. Now when you send an ephemeral photo or video from the Instagram Direct camera, you can decide whether recipients can only view it once, replay it temporarily, or will see a permanent thumbnail of it in the chat… Read More
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Sonos One is the speaker to beat for those that want great sound and smarts


 The connected speaker wars are upon us, and one day they will be detailed in history books for all to remember. But here now, it can be hard to cut through the various narratives surrounding the options out there and pick a winner. Now that the cards are on the table in terms of offerings from the major players, however, it’s pretty clear that Sonos has the best option available for… Read More

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Instagram Direct one-ups Snapchat with replay privacy controls


 Messaging is the heart of Snapchat, so after cloning and augmenting Stories, Instagram is hoping to boost intimate usage of Direct with privacy controls not found elsewhere. Now when you send an ephemeral photo or video from the Instagram Direct camera, you can decide whether recipients can only view it once, replay it temporarily, or will see a permanent thumbnail of it in the chat… Read More

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Tenor hits 12B searches in its GIF keyboard every month


 David McIntosh’s startup Tenor builds a GIF keyboard — but he actually hopes you’ll spend as little time searching on it as possible. Instead, Tenor’s aim has been to collapse the amount of time it takes for you to find a GIF you like and send it to a friend. Instead of trying to get people to come to the service and kind browse around on the keyboard or a different… Read More

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5 Smart Home Products Worth Every Penny


smart-home-worthy

If you’re looking to buy smart home technology, you’ll have to decide between purchasing top-end products or cheaper alternatives. Either way, you won’t be short of options. Everything from Sonos to Philips Hue has a litany of less costly products vying for market share. Often, the cheaper product turns out to be better than the more expensive model. For instance, the ILIFE A6 robot vacuum is a worthy rival to Roomba at a fraction of the cost. We don’t want you to waste your money, but we know you also want the best smart home products available. So, which gadgets...

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Ubuntu to Collect Your PC Data: What This Means for You


ubuntu-collect-data

Upcoming versions of the Ubuntu desktop Linux operating system will collect certain data about the PCs they’re installed on and the way they’re used. The desktop team at Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, says it wants to focus development on the parts of the experience that people care about. Does this matter? This is an issue where the general response among users ranges from ambivalence to moral indignation. Let’s break down why this is, and is not, that big a deal. What Data Will Ubuntu Collect? In a message to the Ubuntu developer mailing list, Ubuntu desktop team director Will...

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Windows Programs on Chromebooks? Here’s the Trick to Install Them


windows-soft-chromebook

Now that all new Chromebooks run Android apps, let’s turn our gaze to running PC programs. And with a new app called CrossOver for Chrome OS, you can install several Windows software on your Chromebook. It seems a little counter-intuitive to the whole point of using Chromebooks to run Windows programs on it. But still, there are some major apps still missing on Chrome OS. For example, the Microsoft Office suite is that of the mobile interface and not the full-fledged one. And there isn’t still a good Photoshop alternative for Chromebooks. CrossOver is a popular emulation app that simplifies...

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What Is Apple HomePod and Do You Need One?


apple-homepod-review

The HomePod is Apple’s most Apple device ever. As always, the commercials are vague and focus more on style over substance. You probably know more about how many tweeters and microphones it’s got than what you can actually do with it. Here’s what you need to know about Apple’s latest attempt at cracking the smart home market. What Is the HomePod? It’s Apple’s new smart speaker. It’s the equivalent of Google Home and Amazon Echo. It plays music, listens to your voice commands, and does a few smart things that rivals do not. How Much Does HomePod Cost? It’ll cost...

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Snapchat adds GIF stickers via Giphy, plus new Friends and Discover screen tabs


 Snapchat is bringing one of the best recent features of Instagram Stories to its own app, with the ability to add GIF stickers from Giphy to your posts. This is a notable reversal of the typical pattern we’ve seen of Instagram cloning Snapchat features, but it’s a good one for users since GIF stickers for Stories are basically the greatest thing ever invented on social media. The… Read More
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6 Ways to Improve Your Amazon Echo’s Privacy


amazon-echo-privacy

You’ve bought an Amazon Echo. Maybe a Dot, a Tap, or a Look… or one of the other versions that come with a working microphone, possibly a camera, and definitely Alexa. These devices can make your life easier in so many ways: listening to music and podcasts, checking the weather and latest news, and even ordering from Amazon. But you’re getting itchy feet. There’s a device in your home with an always-on microphone. Is your Amazon Echo as private as you would like it to be? We’ve already looked at some of the privacy concerns surrounding Amazon Echo devices and...

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Snapchat adds GIF stickers via Giphy, plus new Friends and Discover screen tabs


 Snapchat is bringing one of the best recent features of Instagram Stories to its own app, with the ability to add GIF stickers from Giphy to your posts. This is a notable reversal of the typical pattern we’ve seen of Instagram cloning Snapchat features, but it’s a good one for users since GIF stickers for Stories are basically the greatest thing ever invented on social media. The… Read More

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CloudBerry Backup Protects Files on Windows, Mac, and Linux


cloudberry-backup

Backing up your computer is one of the most important tasks for users. Without a backup, you could lose years’ worth of documents, pictures, and more in an instant. CloudBerry Lab, the same team behind the free remote assistant app, offers a handy backup utility as well. Let’s take a look at this software and see what it can do for you. Getting Started To get started with your cloud backup for business, head to the CloudBerry Backup page. Click the green Download Free Trial button and then choose the platform you’d like to install on. CloudBerry Backup supports Windows 7...

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Say goodbye to Android Pay and hello to Google Pay


 As we reported last month, Google is uniting all of its different payment tools under the Google Pay brand. On Android, however, the Android Pay app stuck with its existing brand. That’s changing today, though, with the launch of Google Pay for Android. With this, Google is rolling out an update to Android Pay and introducing some new functionality that the company hopes will make… Read More
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Spotify job listing hints the company’s ‘first physical products’ are coming


 Spotify so far has been content to partner far and wide on hardware, via its Spotify Connect platform, which allows anyone building a connected speaker, mobile device or piece of AV equipment to turn their gadget into a Spotify speaker. But a new job listing suggests it will soon build hardware of its own, and it’s looking for people to help make that happen. The job listing, spotted by… Read More

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Say goodbye to Android Pay and hello to Google Pay


 As we reported last month, Google is uniting all of its different payment tools under the Google Pay brand. On Android, however, the Android Pay app stuck with its existing brand. That’s changing today, though, with the launch of Google Pay for Android. With this, Google is rolling out an update to Android Pay and introducing some new functionality that the company hopes will make… Read More

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7 Inspiring Movies on Netflix That Might Change Your Life


inspiring-netflix-movies

Many of us have had moments in life that change how we view everything. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your life is like, these moments can transform your world. Sometimes, just watching someone else go through these moments can be a learning experience. Seeing someone survive insurmountable odds or overcoming impossible obstacles can give you a new perspective on life. Which is why watching movies about these life-changing moments can be so powerful. If you’re interested in watching inspiring movies that deal with the ups and downs life throws at us, then keep reading. As we...

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How to Sign a PDF: The Best Tools for Electronic Signatures


sign-pdf-docs

Signing digital documents by hand is tedious. Print, sign, scan, right? Fortunately, electronic signatures are on the rise. Maybe you want to add a signature to a PDF contract or a registration form. We’ll show you how to electronically sign a PDF. Here is a selection of free and paid tools to conveniently sign PDF documents from your PC or phone. 1. PDF Buddy This tool lets you sign or edit up to three PDF files every month for free. It’s a smart solution if you work with PDFs only occasionally. It’s also a browser-based tool that works on your...

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HomePod Review: The Most Apple Thing Ever


Our verdict of the Apple HomePod:Sounds great – but only if you use Apple Music, an iPhone, and you can stomach the $350 price tag. 710Oh, Apple. You’ve done it again. You’ve made an undeniably sound piece of hardware, then smothered it in Apple stuff that’ll put off a good 50% of your potential audience. I suppose when you’re selling it for $349, you don’t need to sell as many units? I can’t think of a more Apple device ever than the HomePod. It’s a collision of precision engineering and needless meddling that leaves you both impressed and scratching your head at...

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How to Update Kodi on Amazon Fire Stick


Kodi’s developers frequently release new updates for the app, at an average rate of once every two months since February 2017. Because there are so many releases, it’s vital to keep your Kodi app up to date. Failure to do so could see you missing out on new features and leave you exposed to security flaws. If you’re running Kodi on your Amazon Fire stick, how do you perform the upgrade? Annoyingly, you won’t find Kodi in the Fire Stick’s app store, so you will have to perform the upgrade manually. Here’s how to do just that. How to Update...

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How to Create Custom Directions for Friends With Google Maps


google-maps-features-android

Sometimes Google Maps just doesn’t know as much as a local and its suggested directions aren’t always the most convenient. Sometimes Google Maps may even take you down a restricted or unavailable route, which can cause all kinds of issues. If you have friends coming in from out of town, for example, you can avoid such problems by creating and sending custom directions straight to them. How to Create Custom Directions in Google Maps For this, we’ll be using Google My Maps, which is slightly different from the standard Google Maps service as it allows you to create custom maps with...

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How to Comment on Office Files With Google Drive (No File Conversions)


How many hours could you save if you could comment on Microsoft documents uploaded to Google Drive? Thanks to the Google Drive interoperability feature in G Suite, you can easily comment on Office files, PDFs, and images without converting from one format to the other or installing Microsoft Office. How to Comment on Office Files With Google Drive You can open and comment on a shared Microsoft file in Google Drive and the comments will appear when you or someone opens it in Microsoft Office. The feature works in the Drive Preview mode. The steps are simple: Log in to...

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How to Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator outside Gmail and Google Chrome


Rapportive was one of my favourite Google Chrome extensions of all time. If you are new, Rapportive added a little widget in your Gmail sidebar, you could hover your mouse over any email address and the widget would show details for that contact including their current job title, social profiles, contact details and more.

This came handy in two situations. If you receive an email from an unknown person, you can quickly see their social profiles without leaving Gmail. If you are sending an email to someone but unsure if the address is correct or not, you can open the Gmail compose window, type the email address and hover your mouse to see if that person has an associated profile or not.

gmail-linkedin-profile

LinkedIn acquired Rapportive and rebranded the add-on as Sales Navigator targeted more towards the sales professional. The good part is that the original functionality continues to exist so you can still hover over any email address to view the corresponding Linked Profile right inside your Gmail Message.

Remove the LinkedIn Clutter in Gmail Sidebar

While the basic version of LinkedIn Sales Navigator is free, it is more cluttered and feels like a distracting advertisement for the premium version that is continuously displayed in your Gmail sidebar. See the screenshots below:

Gmail LinkedIn addon clean

If you would like to continue using Rapportive but sans the clutter, there are other CSS injecting Chrome extensions that can help. The idea is that you inject custom CSS into the Gmail website that hides any element on the page.

To get started, install User CSS in Chrome. Switch to the Gmail website, click the User CSS menu icon and add the following CSS code. The other good alternatives are StyleBot and User JS CSS if you prefer to inject JavaScript code in addition to user styles.

CSS for Gmail LinkedIn

Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator outside Gmail or Google Chrome

The Linked Sales Navigator add-on is the easiest way to find the LinkedIn profile of a person that is associated with a particular email address. Here’s how it works:

When you hover your mouse over an email address inside a Gmail message, the Chrome extension makes an HTTP request to a particular URL. The HTML response of that URL is rendered in the Gmail sidebar.

Open Demo Page

The interesting part is that this URL can be used outside the Chrome extension as well so you can just append any email address to that URL and get the corresponding LinkedIn profile.  The URL format is:

http://ift.tt/2ojKjWJemail@domain.com

Replace email@domain.com with any other email address, open the URL in any browser and you’ll have the basic LinkedIn profile, just like the one displayed inside Gmail.

Give it a shot by opening this page in your browser. The only constraint is that you should be logged in your LinkedIn account as anonymous requests are not allowed.

Also see: How to Verify an Email Address


How to Verify an Email Address?


How do you verify if a given email address is real or fake? The obvious solution is that you send a test mail to that email address and if your message doesn’t bounce, it is safe to assume* that the address is real.

[*] Some web domains may have configured a catch-all email address meaning that messages addressed to a non-existent mailbox will not be returned to the sender but in most cases, such email messages will bounce.

Ping an Email Address to Validate it!

When you send an email to someone, the message goes to an SMTP server which then looks for the MX (Mail Exchange) records of the email recipient’s domain.

For instance, when you send an email to hello@gmail.com, the mail server will try to find the MX records for the gmail.com domain. If the records exist, the next step would be to determine whether that email username (hello in our example) exists or not.

Using a similar logic, we can verify an email address from the computer without actually sending an email message. Here’s how:

Let say that we want to verify if the address billgates@gmail.com exists or not?

Step 1. Enable telnet in Windows or use the PuTTy tool. If you are on a Mac, open the iTerm app.

Step 2. At the command prompt, type the nslookup command:

nslookup  –type=mx gmail.com

This nslookup command will query name servers for that domain. Since we have specified the type as MX, our command will extract and list the MX records of the email domain. Replace gmail.com with the domain of the email address that you are trying to verify.

gmail.com MX preference=30, exchanger = alt3.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
gmail.com MX preference=20, exchanger = alt2.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
gmail.com MX preference=5,  exchanger = gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
gmail.com MX preference=10, exchanger = alt1.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
gmail.com MX preference=40, exchanger = alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com

Step 3. As you may have noticed in the nslookup output, it is not uncommon to have multiple MX records for a domain. Pick any one of the servers listed in the MX records, maybe the one with the lowest preference level number (in our example, gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com), and “pretend” to send an email message to that server from your computer.

For that, go to the command prompt window and type the following commands in the listed sequence:

3a: Connect to the mail server:

telnet gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com 25

3b: Say hello to the other server

HELO

3c: Identify yourself with some fictitious email address

mail from:<labnol@labnol.org>

3d: Type the recipient’s email address that you are trying to verify:

rcpt to:<billgates@gmail.com>

The server response for ‘rcpt to’ command will give you an idea whether an email address is valid or not. You’ll get an “OK” if the address exists else a 550 error like:

  • abc@gmail.com – The email account that you tried to reach does not exist.
  • support@gmail.com – The email account that you tried to reach is disabled.

That’s it! If the address is valid, you may perform reverse email search to find the person behind the address. And if you get stuck somewhere, this step-by-step video should help:


Microsoft Makes Sure Windows Phone Really Is Dead


Microsoft is hammering another nail in the coffin of Windows Phone by discontinuing support for several parts of the operating system. So if you’re still using a smartphone running Windows Phone 7 or Windows Phone 8 then it’s not going to be quite as smart from here on in. Windows Phone is decidedly dead. We said goodbye in 2014, but Microsoft officially ended support in July 2017. And now, with every month that passes, the handful of people still using Windows Phone will find their favorite mobile operating system becoming more useless. The End of Push Notifications The latest nail...

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Update for iOS and Macs negates text bomb that crashed devices


 Last week we reported a major bug in Apple operating systems that would cause them to crash from mere exposure to either of two specific Unicode symbols. Today Apple fixes this major text-handling issue with iOS version 11.2.6 and macOS version 10.13.3, both now available for download. Read More

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