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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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...
Read the full article: Use Macros in Excel on Mac to Save Time and Do More
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
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
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
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
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...
Read the full article: 5 Smart Home Products Worth Every Penny
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...
Read the full article: Ubuntu to Collect Your PC Data: What This Means for You
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...
Read the full article: Windows Programs on Chromebooks? Here’s the Trick to Install Them
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...
Read the full article: What Is Apple HomePod and Do You Need One?
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
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...
Read the full article: 6 Ways to Improve Your Amazon Echo’s Privacy
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
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...
Read the full article: CloudBerry Backup Protects Files on Windows, Mac, and Linux
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
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
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
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...
Read the full article: 7 Inspiring Movies on Netflix That Might Change Your Life
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...
Read the full article: How to Sign a PDF: The Best Tools for Electronic Signatures
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...
Read the full article: HomePod Review: The Most Apple Thing Ever
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...
Read the full article: How to Update Kodi on Amazon Fire Stick
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...
Read the full article: How to Create Custom Directions for Friends With Google Maps
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...
Read the full article: How to Comment on Office Files With Google Drive (No File Conversions)
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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
