A look at the Android Market (aka Google Play) on its 10th Anniversary

Google Play has generated more than twice the downloads of the iOS App Store, reaching a 70% share of worldwide downloads in 2017, according to a new report from App Annie, released in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Android Market, now called Google Play. The report also examined the state of Google Play’s marketplace and the habits of Android users.

It found that, despite the large share of downloads, Google Play only accounted for 34% of worldwide consumer spend on apps, compared with 66% on the iOS App Store in 2017 – a figure that’s stayed relatively consistent for years.

Those numbers are consistent with the narrative that’s been told about the two app marketplaces for some time as well. That is, Google has the sheer download numbers, thanks to the wide distribution of its devices – including its reach into emerging markets, thanks to low-cost smartphones. But Apple’s ecosystem is the one making more money from apps.

App Annie also found that the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region accounts for more than half of Google Play consumer spending. Japan was the largest market of all-time on this front, topping the charts with $25.1 billion dollars spend on apps and in-app purchases. It was followed by the U.S. ($19.3B) and South Korea ($11.2B).

The firm attributed some of Google Play’s success in Japan to carrier billing. This has allowed consumer spending to increase in markets like South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, as well, it said.

As to what consumers are spending their money on? Games, of course.

The report found that games accounted for 41% of downloads, but 88% of spend.

Outside of games, in-app subscriptions have contributed to revenue growth.

Non-game apps reached $2.7 billion in consumer spend last year, with 4 out of the top 5 apps offering a subscription model. The number one app, LINE, was the exception. It was followed by subscription apps Tinder, Pandora, Netflix, and HBO NOW.

In addition, App Annie examined the app usage patterns of Android users, and found they tend to have a lot of apps installed. In several markets, including the U.S. and Japan, Android users had over 60 apps installed on their phones and they used over 30 apps every month.

Australia, the U.S. and South Korea led the way here, with users’ phones holding 100 or more apps.

The report also looked at the most popular games and app of all time by both downloads and consumer spend. There weren’t many surprises on these lists, with apps like those made by Facebook dominating the top apps by downloads list, and subscription services dominating top apps by spend.

App Annie also noted Google Play has seen the release of nearly 10 million apps since its launch in 2008. Not all these remain, of course – by today’s count, there are just over 2.8 million apps live on Google Play.

 

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How to Try Alexa’s New Whisper Mode

Amazon Alexa can now whisper sweet nothings into your ear. But only if you whisper sweet nothings to her first. This is as a result of Amazon’s new Whisper Mode, which is designed to help you keep noise to a minimum when circumstances call for it.

As accomplished as Alexa is, Amazon’s voice-activated digital assistant is only as good as its programming. Part of that programming is Amazon endeavoring to make Alexa sound more human. Which is why Alexa now has a Whisper Mode for quiet times.

How to Enable Alexa’s Whisper Mode

There are two ways of enabling Alexa’s new Whisper Mode. The first is:

• Open the Alexa app on your phone.
• Open Settings.
• Click on Alexa Account.
• Click on Alexa Voice Responses.
• Enable Whispered Responses.

Or you can just say, “Alexa, turn on Whisper Mode” in earshot of your Amazon Echo.

So… Alexa has a new whisper mode…. pic.twitter.com/KWTxVmMsn2

— kaolin fire (@kaolinfire) October 20, 2018

With Whisper Mode enabled, Alexa will detect when you’re whispering, and whisper back to you. Having Whisper Mode enabled doesn’t mean you have to talk in hushed tones at all times, but when you do, Alexa will respond in kind.

Why would you want to enable Whisper Mode in Alexa? Perhaps you want to ask Alexa a question after your significant other has gone to bed. Or perhaps you want Alexa to read a lullaby to your baby but not in the booming voice she usually uses.

Making Alexa Sound More Human

Alexa’s new Whisper Mode is the first step on the long road to making Amazon’s voice-activated digital assistant more human. Or at least sound more human to our ears. Expect different speaking speeds, inflections, and pauses to follow in due course.

Amazon is continually adding to Alexa’s skillset. So, Alexa can recognize your family’s voices, create endless lists for everything, and order takeout for you. However, her ability to whisper sweet nothings into your ear makes those skills look tame by comparison.

Image Credit: Jason Hargrove/Flickr

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10 of the World’s Most Famous Hackers (And What Happened to Them)

Not all hackers are bad. The good ones are called “white-hat hackers” and use hacking to improve computer security. The ones who are just having fun are called “gray-hat hackers.” But the malicious kind you’re thinking of?

They’re called “black-hat hackers.” And they can cause a lot of harm, as history has shown. Here are some of the most infamous and nefarious “black hatters,” what they did to earn their reputations, and where they are today.

1. Kevin Mitnick

The US Department of Justice called him the “most wanted computer criminal in US history.” Kevin Mitnick’s story is so wild that it was even the basis for a featured film called Track Down.

What did he do?
After serving a year in prison for hacking into the Digital Equipment Corporation’s network, he was let out for three years of supervised release. But near the end of that period, he fled and went on a 2.5-year hacking spree that involved breaching the national defense warning system and stealing corporate secrets.

Where is he now?
Mitnick was eventually caught and convicted with a five-year prison sentence. After fully serving those years, he became a consultant and public speaker for computer security. He now runs Mitnick Security Consulting, LLC.

2. Jonathan James

The story of Jonathan James, known as “c0mrade,” is a tragic one. He began hacking at a young age, managing to hack into several commercial and government networks and being sent to prison for it—all while he was still a minor.

What did he do?
James eventually hacked into NASA’s network and downloaded enough source code (assets equaling $1.7 million at the time) to learn how the International Space Station worked. NASA had to shut down its network for three entire weeks while they investigated the breach, costing an additional $41,000.

Where is he now?
In 2007, several high-profile companies fell victim to numerous malicious network attacks. Even though James denied any involvement, he was suspected and investigated. In 2008, James committed suicide, believing he would be convicted of crimes he didn’t commit.

3. Albert Gonzalez

Albert Gonzalez started off as the leader of a hacker group called ShadowCrew. In addition to stealing and selling credit card numbers, ShadowCrew also fabricated fraudulent passports, health insurance cards, and birth certificates for identity theft crimes.

What did he do?
Albert Gonzalez paved his way to internet fame when he collected more than 170 million credit card and ATM card numbers over a period of two years. He then hacked into the databases of TJX Companies and Heartland Payment Systems to steal all of their stored credit card numbers as well.

Where is he now?
Gonzalez was sentenced to prison for 20 years (two sentences of 20 years to be served simultaneously) and is scheduled for release in 2025.

4. Kevin Poulsen

Kevin Poulsen, also known as “Dark Dante,” earned his 15 minutes of fame by utilizing his intricate knowledge of telephone systems. At one point, he hacked a radio station’s phone lines and fixed himself as the winning caller, earning him a brand new Porsche. According to media, he was the “Hannibal Lecter of computer crime.”

What did he do?
Poulsen got himself onto the FBI’s wanted list when he hacked into federal systems and stole wiretap information. He was later captured in a supermarket (of all places) and sentenced to 51 months in prison and a bill for $56,000 in restitution.

Where is he now?
Poulsen changed his ways after being released from prison in 1995. He began working as a journalist and is now a contributing editor for Wired. In 2006, he even helped law enforcement to identify 744 sex offenders on MySpace.

5. Gary McKinnon

Gary McKinnon, known as “Solo” on the internet, allegedly coordinated what would become the largest military computer hack of all time.

What did he do?
Over a 13-month period from February 2001 to March 2002, McKinnon illegally accessed 97 computers belonging to the US Armed Forces and NASA. He claimed he was only searching for information on free energy suppression and UFO cover-ups, but according to US authorities he deleted a number of critical files and rendered over 300 computers inoperable, resulting in over $700,000 in damages.

Where is he now?
Being of Scottish descent and operating out of the United Kingdom, McKinnon was able to dodge the American government until 2005, when he faced extradition. After a series of appeals, Theresa May blocked his extradition on the grounds that he was “seriously ill” and that extradition would be “incompatible with [his] human rights.”

6. Robert Tappan Morris

Robert Tappan Morris picked up his knowledge of computers from his father Robert Morris, who was a computer scientist at Bell Labs and later the NSA. Morris is credited as the creator of the world’s first known computer worm.

What did he do?
In 1988, he created the Morris Worm while he was a student at Cornell University. The program was intended to gauge the size of the internet, but it had a flaw: computers could be infected multiple times, and each infection would cause the computer to slow down even more. It rendered over 6,000 computers unusable.

Where is he now?
In 1989, Robert Tappan Morris was found to have violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. He was sentenced to three years of probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $10,050 fine. He eventually founded Y Combinator and is now a tenured professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

7. Loyd Blankenship

Loyd Blankenship, known as “The Mentor” in hacking circles, has been an active hacker since the 1970s. He was a member of several hacking groups in the past, most notably Legion of Doom (LOD).

What did he do?
Blankenship authored an essay called “Mentor’s Last Words” (also called “Conscience of a Hacker and Hacker Manifesto”), which he wrote after being arrested in 1986. The essay has come to be seen as a kind of cornerstone for hacking culture.

Where is he now?
Blankenship was hired by Steve Jackson Games in 1989 to work on GURPS Cyberpunk. The US Secret Service raided his home in 1990 and confiscated the game’s rulebook, calling it a “handbook for computer crime.” He has since given up on hacking and is now the head of product research and design at McAfee.

8. Julian Assange

Julian Assange began hacking at the age of 16 under the name “Mendax.” Over four years, he hacked into various government, corporate, and educational networks—including the Pentagon, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Citibank, and Stanford University.

What did he do?
Assange went on to create WikiLeaks in 2006 as a platform for publishing news leaks and classified documents from anonymous sources. The United States launched an investigation against Assange in 2010 to charge him under the Espionage Act of 1917.

Where is he now?
Assange is currently a citizen of Ecuador and holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, fearing extradition to the United States.

9. Guccifer 2.0

Who is Guccifer 2.0? Nobody knows for sure. It could be a person, or a group masquerading as a person. The name pays homage to a Romanian hacker (known as “Guccifer”) who often targeted US government officials and others of political prominence.

What did they do?
During the 2016 US Presidential Election, the Democratic National Convention’s network was hacked. Thousands of documents were leaked on WikiLeaks and elsewhere. Many believe that Guccifer 2.0 is a cover for Russian intelligence, but in an interview with Vice, Guccifer 2.0 claimed he was Romanian and not Russian.

Where are they now?
Guccifer 2.0 disappeared just before the 2016 US Presidential Election, then reappeared once in January 2017 to assert that he had no ties to Russian intelligence.

10. Anonymous

Anonymous may be the most well-known “hacker” of all time, yet also the most nebulous. Anonymous is not a single person but rather a decentralized group of hackers with no true membership or hierarchy. Anybody can act in the name of Anonymous.

What did they do?
Since their debut in 2003, Anonymous has been credited for attacking several notable targets, including Amazon, PayPal, Sony, the Westboro Baptist Church, the Church of Scientology, parts of the dark web, and the governments of Australia, India, Syria, the United States, among dozens of others.

Where are they now?
Anonymous continues its hacktivism to this day. Since 2011, two related hacking groups have spawned from Anonymous: LulzSec and AntiSec.

Staying Safe Against Modern-Day Hackers

If you’re afraid that a hacker like one of the above will ruin your life, don’t worry. They prefer to go after big organizations and entities. To learn more, check out these interesting documentaries about hackers.

But you should be wary of another kind of hacker: one who wants to steal your personal data for their own gain. To stay protected, be sure to use security software to protect against malware and learn how to spot when your online accounts have been hacked.

Image Credit: ViChizh/Shutterstock

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The 6 Best PDF Readers for Windows

Did you think twice before you installed Adobe Reader? We’ve done the research to find the best PDF readers for Windows 10.

The alternative PDF readers presented here run the gamut from minimal, lightweight applications built for nothing more than viewing PDFs to more full-featured applications that include annotations and highlighting. Some applications even include features you won’t find in Adobe Acrobat Reader, such as basic PDF-editing tools.

1. Sumatra PDF

Highlight: Most lightweight PDF reader, also available as a portable app.

Sumatra PDF is the best alternative to using your browser as a PDF reader because it’s easy on system resources. It’s also open source. If you want something even more minimalistic than that, you could download its portable app instead of the desktop version.

Sumatra PDF doesn’t have any editing options or other advanced features – it’s just a window that loads extremely fast and displays PDFs. It does, however, support tabs and it’s packed with keyboard shortcuts, making it even more ideal for rapidly reading PDFs. Furthermore, Sumatra supports other types of files, including eBooks in ePub and Mobi format and comic books in CBZ and CBR formats.

Download: Sumatra PDF

2. PDF-XChange Editor

Highlight: Packed with features, yet fast.

PDF-XChange Editor offers a bouquet of features, making it great for editing and annotations. And PDF-XChange Editor is free. You can buy a license to unlock pro features, but you can also use those features in exchange for a watermark.

If you find the cluttered look of the toolbar distracting, go ahead and edit it to your liking. Right-click anywhere onto the toolbar to launch a menu for quick changes. Click Customize Toolbars at the bottom to enter a static menu where you can take your time to manage those same options.

While PDF-XChange Editor and Foxit Reader have a similar feature set, I noticed that PDF-XChange Editor required twice the memory to run the same document. Keep this in mind if resource efficiency is a priority.

Download: PDF-XChange Editor

3. Nitro PDF Reader

Highlight: Blends into Microsoft Office applications and offers extensive features.

Nitro’s interface looks like it was lifted straight from Microsoft Office. And like the market leading office suite, this PDF reader is rich in features.

Unlike many other free PDF readers, with Nitro you can fill in forms and sign your documents using your digital ID. You can also add notes, extract images, or convert a PDF to a plain text document.

While the resemblance to Microsoft’s ribbon interface is somewhat charming, it may not be your cup of tea.

Download: Nitro Reader 5

4. Foxit Reader

Highlight: The most feature-complete free PDF reader.

Foxit Reader was one of the first mainstream Adobe Reader alternatives. It remains a great option because—among the free PDF readers—it offers the most features, with no strings attached.

You’ll notice that an extensive number of editing tabs dominates the interface. They cover a range of advanced options, including text markup, a typewriter option, form handling, digital signatures, managing reviews and tracking changes, and connected PDFs.

One of Foxit Reader’s best features is that you can add your own shortcuts to the Quick Action Toolbar in the top left. Right-click anywhere in the toolbar to access all customization options.

Foxit Reader managed to pack all those features into a cleaner interface than PDF-XChange Editor. But the feature richness comes at a cost: your system resources. You can, however, download a portable version of Foxit Reader.

Download: Foxit Reader

5. STDU Viewer

Highlight: One viewer to replace them all, great for navigating multiple documents.

This document viewer wants to be the only application you use for all your technical documentations, books, and other readings. STDU Viewer supports TXT, Comic Book Archive, PDF, DjVu, MOBI, EPub, several image files, and many more document formats.

STDU Viewer’s strong suit is managing multiple different documents at once. Not only can you open documents in tabs and expand a navigation panel, but you can also create and navigate bookmarks and highlights, view thumbnails of your open documents, and split windows to compare different pages within the same document. Another neat feature is that you can invert colors, such as from black on white to white on black, which can reduce eyestrain.

While STDU Viewer doesn’t have all the features of Nitro and Foxit Reader, it is a great alternative for those who have to read or refer to a lot of digital documents.

Download: STDU Viewer

6. Adobe Reader

Highlight: Simple interface and minimal features.

Adobe’s PDF reader remains the de-facto standard. At 105 MB, sans optional offers, it’s definitely the heavyweight champion among the readers featured here.

On the bright side, Adobe Reader maintains a pleasing interface and isn’t overloaded with features. You can comment, fill & sign, and convert to PDF or other formats (export). If you ever run into issues opening a PDF file or filling a form using an alternative PDF tool, you won’t suffer too much when you have to fall back onto Adobe Reader.

While you will find options to edit and combine PDF files listed under Tools, these are actually pro features that will set you back at least USD 15 per month.

Download: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Bonus: Read PDFs With Your Web Browser

Whether you’re using Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, your browser already has a built-in PDF reader. It won’t have all the features, but using your browser as a PDF reader is a quick way to read PDF documents and it will save you lots of system resources.

The small footprint and easy access come at a cost. In-browser PDF readers aren’t always compatible with all types of PDF. Furthermore, browser-based PDF readers lack advanced features, like form filling, document signing, or annotation. It’s a compromise, but for the average user, it’s a small one.

Microsoft Edge

In Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is both the default browser and the default PDF reader.

PDF files open in an Edge browser tab. The only thing that distinguishes them from a regular web page is the PDF toolbar at the top. You can search the document, adjust the zoom level, print, and save the file.

You can also share the document or add it to your Favorites or Reading List. Unfortunately, Edge’s unique Web Notes feature is not available in PDFs.

Note: Microsoft Edge suffered from a PDF exploit back in 2016. This vulnerability has since been patched, but issues such as this are the reason why you should always install security updates.

To change your default PDF reader in Windows 10, go to Start > Settings. Within the Settings app head to Apps > Default apps, click on Choose default apps by file type and change the app association of the PDF file extension with an application of your choice. This can be another browser or a third party PDF reader.

Google Chrome

Chrome’s PDF interface is similar to Microsoft Edge’s. You’ll find the controls for the zoom level in the bottom right. In addition to everything Edge does, you can rotate the document, which is essential on a Windows 2-in-1 or tablet.

If Chrome is your default browser, but you’d rather not have it open PDFs for you, you can disable its built-in PDF reader. Open chrome://settings/content, scroll to the bottom of the content settings windows, and under PDF Documents check Open PDF files in the default PDF viewer application. Make sure you have selected a default Windows PDF viewer.

Mozilla Firefox

Among the in-browser PDF readers, Firefox offers the most comprehensive package. In addition to standard features offered in Chrome and Edge, you can expand a sidebar, rotate in both directions, and toggle the hand tool.

To disable the Firefox PDF viewer, go to Menu > Options > Applications. Next to the Content Type Portable Document Format (PDF), select your preferred Action.

While in-browser PDF readers and system default apps are great, sometimes you need more than that. Hence, the market for dedicated PDF readers remains highly competitive. Here are some more alternatives with advanced features.

All Your PDF Needs Covered

We showed you six different PDF readers that we think are the best of its kind for Windows 10. Hopefully, one of these PDF document viewers is perfect for you.

In case you need to edit PDFs or convert your PowerPoint presentation to PDF, we’ve got you covered there too!

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How to Move Android Apps to a Micro SD Card and Clear Space

How to Factory Reset Windows 10 or Use System Restore

Running Windows 10 and hit a problem? Perhaps malware has disrupted your system, or things are generally running slowly. You might even be planning to sell your computer.

Fortunately, Windows 10 has the tools to help: System Restore and Factory Reset, utilities that enable you to easily reset and refresh your PC.

Here’s how to restore and reset Windows 10.

Windows 10 Has a Hidden Recovery Partition

When you open File Explorer, you should see all the disk partitions.

However, some are hidden. One of these is the recovery partition, which Windows 10 uses to reset and restore itself.

Although it takes up some space, and you can delete this partition, it isn’t advisable.

Sure, deletion, in conjunction with file compression, can save over 6GB on 64-bit systems running Windows 10, but the recovery partition is pretty vital for getting your PC back up and running following a serious crash.

Meanwhile, if you’re using a small capacity Windows 10 device, it’s recommended that you use an SD card or an external storage device. Keep the recovery partition and store personal data, and apps on the secondary storage.

At some point, you’ll probably need the recovery partition, especially if you haven’t downloaded the installation media. However, the refresh and reset tools should be sufficient to deal with the vast majority of issues, as long as you make the right decision between a system restore and refreshing Windows.

How to Do a System Restore in Windows 10

If you’re having problems with Windows 10’s performance, the first thing you should look at is your list of restore points. If one of these coincides with when Windows started to misbehave, then you can use the System Restore tool to reinstate the settings and software that were in place at that time.

Open Start (or press Windows key + I to open Settings) and in the search box type create a restore point.

Click the matching result, select the drive you want to use to store your restore point (typically the system drive) and click Configure > Turn on system protection. This action activates the system restore functionality.

You also need to specify the maximum disk usage dedicated to Disk Space Usage. Drag the slider to determine how much space to allocate. Click OK to confirm.

You’re now ready to create a restore point, so click Create, give it a name, then OK.

The system protection software will create the restore point, which you can revert to later using the System Restore button. Working through the wizard will restore your previous state.

You may need to spend a few moments checking through what will be affected so that you can reinstall software and—hopefully—avoid any apps that caused the problem that prompted you to use System Restore.

Note that System Restore is not perfect. Winding back to a restore point may not work, so refer to our list of things to check when System Restore won’t work.

Accessing Advanced Startup

What if you need to roll back to a saved restore point, but cannot boot into Windows 10? The answer comes through Advanced Startup (accessible on a working system through Settings > Recovery).

If your PC isn’t booting, you’ll need to access Advanced Startup via your PC manufacturer’s instruction. For instance, on HP computers, this would be by pressing F11 to prompt the System Recovery mode as your computer boots. Choose Repair your computer when Windows Setup launches.

In Advanced Startup, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore, and then work through the wizard to find and apply the restore point.

This makes System Restore the fastest solution; at the same time, however, it is also the least reliable. Unfortunately, System Restore is unable to cope with a Windows installation that has been compromised by malware.

How to Refresh Windows 10

Was reverting to a restore point not enough to resolve problems with your computer? You may need to refresh your settings. Remember how your computer was when you bought it, or first installed Windows 10?

That’s what you’re going to get.

Unlike a full Windows 10 system reset, however, you will be able to retain your personal data and settings. However, it’s a good idea to sync these to the cloud regardless.

Open Start > Settings > Update & Security to begin, selecting Recovery in the left-hand menu.

Under Reset this PC, click or tap Get Started, and use the Keep my files option.

A warning will be displayed; a second may appear if you have upgraded to Windows 10 from a previous version and informs you that resetting will prevent you from undoing the upgrade.

If you’re happy, proceed with the Reset.

You’ll need to wait for the process to complete. How long this takes will depend on how many apps you’ve installed.

Consider refreshing Windows 10 the second string to your bow. If your computer is running slow, and crashes or freezes regularly, this is the option to take. It’s ideal if you don’t have the time to back up your settings and personal folders first.

How to Reset Windows 10 to Factory Settings

The “nuclear option” when it comes to getting Windows 10 back to its best is to reset it, much as you would a smartphone or tablet. This action restores the operating system to the “factory settings,” leaving it seemingly as new.

As such, you will need to back up your personal data beforehand. Unfortunately, any bloatware you have removed will be reinstated. This is a strong argument against using the factory reset option.

To factory reset Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and again click the Get started button under Reset this PC. This time, however, select Remove everything.

This results in two options:

• Just remove my files for a quick reset.
• Remove files and clean the drive, a slower, more secure option.

With your choice made, wait for completion. Note that you’ll need a new account to begin using your computer again. If you have a Windows account, use this; your desktop theme, shortcuts, browser favorites (if you use Edge) and some other settings will be synced back to the computer. Otherwise, create a new local profile.

You’ll then be ready to restore any data backups you made before you performed the Windows 10 factory reset.

As before, if Windows 10 won’t boot and you want to perform a factory reset, the option is available from the Advanced Mode screen. After booting into Advanced Options, go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC and you’ll find the options as discussed above.

Factory Reset and System Restore Made Easy

Whether you need to create or restore a System Restore point, the process should by now be straightforward. Similarly, you should be able to refresh Windows 10 in order to speed things up a bit, and use the reset option to create a freshened-up, good as new operating system.

Regardless of whether you can use System Restore, or refresh and reset your PC, however, it’s a good idea to make regular data backups. Our guide to making data backups in Windows will help you out here.

Read the full article: How to Factory Reset Windows 10 or Use System Restore

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The 5 Best Desktop Email Clients That Don’t Cost a Dime

Some people say you should stop using desktop email clients. I get where they’re coming from. Web-based email services have come a long way over the past decade, and many of them are feature-rich enough to be on par with desktop-based alternatives.

But there are several valid reasons to keep using desktop email software, and I believe desktop email clients will never be obsolete.

Postbox and Microsoft Outlook are the two main options, but they’re pricey. If you only need an email client to handle one or two personal accounts, then a free email client will likely serve you just fine. Here are the best free desktop email clients we’ve found.

1. Thunderbird

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux.

Although Thunderbird development was “discontinued” back in 2012, it still receives maintenance updates so don’t write it off as dead. In fact, as of this writing, the latest release (version 60.2.1) came out in October 2018. Sure, Thunderbird may not be getting new features going forward, but it’s absolutely still viable for everyday personal use.

And, as sad as it is to say, Thunderbird is the only free and open-source desktop email client that’s actually worth using. Other open-source clients exist, but they’re riddled with issues like clunky interfaces, glitchy performance, and a lack of advanced features.

If you’re adamant about never spending a penny and never switching to a web-based email client, then Thunderbird is your best option. It can do pretty much anything you need, including setting up message filters, autoresponding to emails, and several other nifty Thunderbird tips and tweaks.

Download: Thunderbird (Free)

2. Mailspring

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux.

Back in 2016, Nylas Mail hit the scene and looked as if it’d be the desktop email client to put all other desktop email clients to shame. But then in August 2017, the team announced that they’d no longer be working on Nylas Mail and opened up the source to the public.

One of the original authors then forked the project and relaunched Nylas Mail as Mailspring. He optimized and improved many of the internal components, resulting in quicker syncing, less RAM usage, faster launch times, and more.

Thunderbird may be the client of choice for those who want reliability and time-tested staying power, but Mailspring is the client to use if you want something fresh, new, exciting, and full of future potential. It’s free to use indefinitely with some advanced features locked behind a subscription.

Notable Free Version Features

• Syncs with Gmail, Office 365, Yahoo, iCloud, FastMail, and IMAP.
• Unlimited email accounts and unified inbox.
• Undo sent emails within a given period of time.
• Support for pre-built themes, layouts, and emojis.

Notable Pro Version Features

• Powerful template support for productivity.
• Track whether emails are opened and links are clicked.
• Schedule emails to be sent at a future time.
• Snooze emails and create follow-up reminders.
• Share email threads with others using a web link.

Download: Mailspring (Free, Pro for $8/mo)

3. Sylpheed

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux.

Sylpheed is a desktop email client that’s been around since 2001. While it does feel dated compared to modern email clients, it’s not bad by any stretch. In fact, its old-school interface and approach to email management may actually prove helpful if your email habits are causing undue stress.

The best thing about Sylpheed is that it knows what it is: an email client. It doesn’t concern itself with tons of extraneous features that bloat the installation and clutter the interface. Sylpheed is simple, lightweight, and full-featured.

Notable features include fast launch and overall performance, advanced email search and filters, effective junk mail control, encryption, and extensibility through plugins.

Download: Sylpheed (Free)

4. Mailbird

Available for Windows.

Mailbird is an attempt to optimize the desktop email client experience.

If you’ve never used desktop email before, then you’ll probably love Mailbird. If you’re migrating from another client, it will be hit or miss—some parts will feel familiar, other bits will impress you, but you’ll undoubtedly find aspects that you hate as well.

All we can recommend is giving it a try. It’s definitely slick and modern, and there’s a lot to like about it. Note that it’s a freemium app so the free version is restricted in some ways.

Notable Free Version Features

• Beautifully sleek and minimal interface.
• Syncs with any IMAP or POP email service.
• Lightning fast search and indexing.
• Integration with Dropbox, Evernote, Google Docs, and more.
• Supports up to 3 email accounts.

Notable Pro Version Features

• Unlimited email accounts and unified inbox.
• Snooze emails and set up reminders.
• Speed reader for emails.
• Quick preview for email attachments.

Download: Mailbird (Free, Pro for $18/year or $59 one-time purchase)

5. eM Client

Available for Windows.

eM Client aims to be an all-in-one solution for dealing with office tasks and communications. It’s primarily designed for email, but also has nifty calendar integration, task management, contacts organization, and even chat support—and the free version only has one (albeit major) limitation, as you can see below.

Notable Free Version Features

• Slick Modern UI interface that fits well with Microsoft apps.
• Syncs with Gmail, Exchange, iCloud, Office 365, and Outlook.com.
• Conversational view for email threads.
• Integration with all common chat services, including Jabber.
• Supports up to 2 email accounts.

Notable Pro Version Features

• Supports an unlimited number of email accounts.
• Can be used for commercial purposes (e.g. business office use).
• VIP support and troubleshooting.

Download: eM Client (Free, $50 one-time purchase)

Windows and Mac Have Built-In Email Apps

All of these desktop email clients are fantastic so don’t fret too much. They can all get the job done, so give each one a try and stick to the one you like best. As for me? I’ve been using the free version of Mailspring for months and I’m quite happy with it.

If the above apps seem too complex for your email needs, then you can always resort to the Mail app that comes pre-installed on Windows 10 (some consider it bloatware while others think Windows 10 Mail is worth using). If you’re on Mac, Apple Mail is more than adequate (especially with these tips and tweaks).

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7 Amazing Google Dataset Search Results You Can Use Now

In September of 2018, Google launched a new dataset search engine intended to help researchers pour through large datasets from public sources. These include everything from census data, demographics surveys, medical studies, and much more.

The datasets are primarily for academic researchers to crunch numbers and extract patterns. But even for the regular layperson, some of the datasets are just fascinating to explore.

How Google Dataset Searches Work

For many years, one of the greatest weaknesses of Google’s search engine was that entire segments of an underground internet remained invisible.

This internet remained “underground” because the information itself is unsearchable by Google’s web crawler. This is because the data is stored in databases that require special search queries, or as a data file that you can only download and analyze.

However, when you use the Google Dataset search to find information, instead of returning websites, it returns a list of databases.

You can click on any of those databases to see links to the source data.

The source data could include a searchable database, a downloadable file, or even a online visualization tool that helps you analyze and visualize the large volume of information contained in the database.

What kind of information can you find?

Here are some of the most interesting datasets linked from Google’s dataset search engine for you to browse through.

1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Through the Google Dataset, you’ll find links to the NOAA EV2 Image Access System.

This is an impressive archival of old climate data from microfiche to digital format, provided for free to the general public.

Some of the impressive records you can pull out of this database include:

• Airport weather station recordings of temperature, precipitation, and wind data going back decades
• Weather station readings of daily temperatures and precipitation amounts going back to the late 1800s in some cases
• Precipitation data recorded at the National Weather Service and Federal Aviation Administration going back many years

In each case, you’ll need to choose the state that you want data for. The number of years you can go back and pull data depends on the state.

For armchair climatologists, or anyone simply interested in global climate change, this is a remarkable resource.

2. NOAA Interactive Maps

In addition to the downloadable datasets, on Google Datasets you’ll also come across links to the NOAA’s interactive maps.

These maps are unbelievable resources that let you tailor a view of climate data based on date and measurement.

NOAA interactive maps include a visual representation of each of the following data trends.

• Daily or monthly observations of all data
• Only snowfall levels
• Historical global marine shipping tracks
• Weather radar images from 1995 to 2010
• Climate normals (the average of climate variables over three decades) from 1981 to 2010

These maps are fascinating to explore, looking through the years and watching how the climate of the Earth slowly changed. Even for anyone who isn’t a climatologist, these interactive maps are an amazing resource.

3. NASA Storm Tracks

The NASA website has always been a warehouse of useful information. What many people may not realize is they also collect and share satellite data about weather patterns from around the world.

One of the most extensive datasets is NASA’s Atlas of Extratropical Storms. It covers storm data from 1961 to 1998. From the dataset page, you can choose month or season and year, and request a download for any of the following aspects of major storms that took place that year.

• Frequency
• Intensity
• Frequency, Polar Projection
• Intensity, Polar Projection
• Tracks

It’s impressive to review storm patterns going back for several decades. It’s an invaluable library of data for any researchers looking for climate patterns.

4. WHISPers

WHISPers is the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership event reporting system. It’s an interactive map that shows you the 20 most recent wildlife health events that have taken place in the United States.

You might occasionally hear of mass bird deaths, illnesses killing off populations of bats, or cases of a chronic wasting disease in the news. But if you were to monitor this map, you’d see clusters of such cases showing up long before they ever show up in the media.

5. Human Ebola Outbreak

The spread of human disease is a fascinating field to follow. There is no human illness outbreak in modern times quite as terrifying as Ebola outbreaks. West Africa made the news in 2014 when the region saw one of the worse Ebola outbreaks in human history.

However, there have been other Ebola outbreaks in the past. Those are logged and shared at this online database provided by Figshare.

The dataset starts at 1976 and continues to the present. It’s interesting to follow the ebb and flow of outbreaks, how long there appear to be no outbreaks, and then how aggressively they seem to start again.

You can download the detailed dataset under the online web version of the general data.

6. Global Population Estimates and Projections

If you search the Google Dataset for “global population estimates”, you’ll come across a link for the World Bank’s interactive “population estimates and projections” tool.

This is an impressive tool that lets you choose from what country and series of data to plot. On the right you can see the data results in the form of a table, chart, or map.

Reviewing the trend of population projections across factors like demographics and country is very revealing. The tool saves you a great deal of time. Instead of digging through the metadata yourself and developing these charts, the World Bank tool does it all for you.

Even more impressive is that you’re not limited to the population database. You can switch the main database from population to poverty, universal health coverage, jobs, educational statistics, and many others.

Of any dataset link provided by Google, this is one of the most useful.

7. National UFO Reporting Center

The more you dig into Google Datasets, the more it’ll surprise you just what kind of information you can uncover.

For example, there’s a link to download all of last year’s UFO reports from the National UFO Reporting Center. The data includes the location of the incident, what kind of object was spotted, how long the sighting lasted, the witness’s summary, and more.

Think you can spot patterns based on time and location of clustered sightings? Give it a shot by downloading the entire dataset and looking for correlations.

Searching Google Datasets

The volume of information you’ll find using the Google Datasets search is impressive. The examples above are only just the tip of the iceberg. Try typing in a few keywords of your own and see what you can discover yourself.

And if you aren’t sure how to analyze the large volumes of data you find, load them into Excel. Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing large sets of data. If you’ve never done this before, you can learn more about Excel’s data analysis capabilities before you start digging through all of the information you’ll uncover.

Read the full article: 7 Amazing Google Dataset Search Results You Can Use Now

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