Create your own personal cloud! is a post from: Stuffworks.com

There are a bunch of cloud storage services available today and many of them are free however they don’t usually offer much space to use for storing photos, music or videos.

If storing a large number of files, music or photos, or if you need to store really large files such as movies or backups of programs and .ISO files; then setting up your own personal cloud storage may be just the thing you need.

The 2 easiest ways to get your own personal cloud storage service started are both fairly easy to setup.

1. Tonido – Open source cloud storage software for most Windows, Mac and Linux.
2. PogoPlug – Free for limited use or paid if you want extended features.

Both options use your computers HDD as the cloud storage so the amount of space you get on your cloud is limited only by the space you have on your computer.  Both options also offer a hardware device that you can plug into your home internet connection that allow you to plug in a USB hard drive that can be accessed from anywhere on any device.

There is a Tonido app available for both apple and android devices that allow you to access your personal cloud from anywhere.  You can also access your cloud from a computer by visiting your own personal tonido website.

PogoPlug also offers an app on both apple and android devices and with it you can stream music, movies and access documents from anywhere.

The biggest limitation to creating your own personal cloud is your internet connection speed.  If you have a slow internet speed at home, having your own personal cloud will be fairly slow so having a fast internet speed is recommended.

Both services offer similar features and plenty of expansion options so no matter which one you choose you will be able to access any of your shared files on any device, anytime.  You can even share selected files or folders with friends or family.

Check out both services and let us know your opinion about which one is better.

Easy Tether for Android is a post from: Stuffworks.com

Easy Tether Pro is an easy to use tethering app that shares your phones internet connection with your computer with minimal setup and almost no experience, it is truly one of the easiest tethering solutions on the market today for android phones.

For easy Tether to work on your PC, Mac or Linux system, you must install the appropriate tunneling software, free from the developers website, and connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable. Following the instructions in the app will have you surfing the web in no time.

Product Features

Supports Windows 7/Vista/XP (32-bit and 64-bit), Mac OS-X 10.6/10.5/10.4, and Ubuntu 10.4+ Supports TCP and UDP–implemented as a normal NAT application Supports you with free lifetime upgrades

Product Description

Detailed instructions with every step

More answers with a single click

EasyTether shares your Android smartphone connection with your PC. This handy app from Mobile Stream allows you to tether your Android to a desktop or notebook computer. EasyTether uses exactly the same data plan that you already use for your on-phone internet access, and your USB connection ensures a fast transfer speed. Access your built-in browser, e-mail, and YouTube applications with no additional tethering or broadband fees.

Compatible Across Platforms EasyTether works with all carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. This app supports Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu operating systems. While you’re tethering your Android phone to your PC, you will also appreciate the tethering capabilities for your PS3, XBox 360, or Wii via Windows Internet Connection Sharing. The app’s UDP support for games extends to L2TP VPN and some IM apps, as well.

Easy Setup Process Unlike other apps that touch your phone at the system level, EasyTether does not require rooting, which is great news for AT&T customers as well as everyone else, since you save the time, extra downloading, and complications associated with rooting a phone. This app only uses official, certified APIs to protect your phone’s security. Just follow the on-screen instructions, make sure your computer has your phone’s latest driver, and if you have any questions, one click sends you through to your answers in the developer’s detailed FAQ.

Smart Connection Solution Whether an emergency requires immediate internet access or data transfer, you don’t have access to a strong WiFi connection, or you simply want to avoid the high cost of wireless broadband, using your 3G or 4G coverage by tethering your phone saves you time and frustration. When you use hotel WiFi services, your internet connection often slows to a crawl, and simple transfers that should require mere seconds may take several minutes.

One license is tied to one phone, so you may install the computer-side software on as many computer systems as you need. The easiest way to setup another computer for EasyTether is to re-run the setup wizard in the smartphone-side application. EasyTether frees your netbook, laptop, or desktop computer while you wait at the airport or take a road trip, and it may save you between $30 and $70 per month in broadband charges wherever you need to access an internet connection.

Product Reviews
“EasyTether Pro takes your hand and walks you gently into Tetherland. You’ll be tethering with this app for years to come, as long as your carrier still offers unlimited data.While the setup prcoess may be a bit tricky for the least tech savvy, most users will be up and tethering in no time. Tether on my friends. 9.5/10″ – Ben Freed, App Rundown

“While EasyTether involves a bit more work than rooted tether apps, it is a nice solution for people that can’t or don’t want to root their phones.” – Ed Clark, Androinica

“Overall, EasyTether is a great app to have. It is very useful and since it is USB enabled it will not drain your battery. The speed is excellent even though it is coming from a smartphone. I suggest that you go Pro for $9.99 just because it will allow you to access websites that you will probably need to access anyway (HTTPS).” – The Good Find

Buy EasyTether Now

Ultimate iPhone Research App – Wolfram Alpha is a post from: Stuffworks.com

Since it went on sale, I have been using Wolfram Alpha for a couple of days and I have to say it is an awesome research app.  It has been one of the App Store’s most notoriously expensive apps and it just got a price cut. Wolfram Alpha, which debuted last October for the fairly jaw-dropping price of $49.99, now sells for just $1.99 .

In case the name doesn’t ring a bell, Wolfram Alpha made headlines last year as a supposed Google killer, a search engine that could perform “computational knowledge” tricks far beyond any other service.

In other words, as CNET’s Rafe Needleman put it, “Google finds links. Wolfram Alpha finds answers.” My own take: It’s a search engine for math geeks.

In any case, there was widespread glee when Wolfram Alpha got the app treatment–followed by considerable head-scratching and some outright rage over its price. The $50 sticker seemed particularly insulting considering that you could enjoy much of the same functionality in your iPhone’s Safari browser–for free.

According to a Wolfram Alpha blog post, the price cut is part of a “new focus on ubiquity” for the tool. And in an extremely wise marketing move, anyone who purchased the Wolfram Alpha app for $49.99 (or its one-time sale price of $19.99) can request a refund.

What do you think? Is the app suddenly looking a lot more attractive at $1.99? OK, that’s a given, but now that it’s reasonably priced, think you’ll buy it? Hit the comments and share your thoughts.

Free iPhone Apps – Legally (No Jailbreak Required) is a post from: Stuffworks.com

If you are addicted to the App Store then we have the perfect app for you!  App Sniper not only allows you to track which apps are on sale, but it also notifies you when apps you’re interested in have gone on sale for the price that you want to buy it for.

Many developers drop their prices for only a few days or, in extreme cases, only a few hours in order to get additional sales and reviews. With AppSniper you can be guaranteed that you will never miss those great opportunities to pick up quality software at bargain prices.

The best part is that AppSniper will pay for itself with the first snipe or sale item that you buy!

For only $0.99 it can save you hundreds of dollars on future app purchases.

Office² for iPhone and iPod Touch is a post from: Stuffworks.com

Byte Squared has released  a great new business and productivity app called Office², an office app for the iPhone and iPod touch that lets you edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in .doc and .xls formats. (Note that the app’s name is pronounced “Office Squared” )

Office² also provides integration with Google Docs, letting you edit Google Docs documents and spreadsheets from within the app. You can also access, move, and delete documents stored in Google Docs, iDisk and any WebDAV server.

The Office² word processor lets you view, create, edit and save documents in Word 97-2003 (.doc) format. It also supports character formatting, tables, images, searching of text within documents, undo and redo up to 100 undo levels, and auto-correction and auto-completion.

The Office² spreadsheet works with Excel 97-2003 (.xls) and handles multiple worksheets with unlimited rows and columns, searching and sorting of cells, cell formatting, cell types, and pane freezing among other spreadsheet necessities. Office² uses the iPhone’s touch screen effectively, letting you tap and drag to change row heights and column widths, and tap cells to compose formulas.

Additionally, Office² acts as a local file store, letting you store and view files of most types. Office² also integrates with Google Docs and MobileMe iDisk, giving you access to your valuable data, wherever you are.

Office² includes the following features:

WORD PROCESSOR FEATURES

• Word 97-2003 (.doc) compatability.
• Character formatting including bold, italic, underline, font face, size, color and highlight.
• Paragraph formatting including indent, left, right, center and distributed justification style.
• Bullets and numbering.
• Support for tables, and images.
• Full text search capability.
• Copy and paste.
• Undo and redo.
• Auto-correction and auto-capitalization.

SPREADSHEET FEATURES

• Excel 97-2003 (.xls) compatibility with support for multiple worksheets.
• Multiple cell types, including Numeric, Date, Time, Currency, Percentage and Text
• Cell formatting options, including bold, italic, text and background color, cell sizes and alignments.
• Merged cells, text wrapping and freeze panes.
• Copy/cut/paste operations.
• A range of functions, including date/time, math, statistical, string and trigonometric functions.
• Import/Export to and from desktop computer over wifi network.
• Tight integration with Google Docs, enabling direct editing of Google Docs spreadsheets.
• Access spreadsheet files stored in a MobileMe iDisk account or any other WebDAV-based server.

Twin Blades Review for iPhone and iPod Touch is a post from: Stuffworks.com

iPhone development company Bulkypix is coming up with some promising games for the iPhone and iPod touch.  Twin Blades is an addictive zombie shooting game in which your main object is to survive through different levels by either slashing or shooting zombies. The App Store has a ton of zombie shooting games but, Twin Blades offers an engaging and fast paced gameplay which gives it a fresh look.

Every kill earns you one heart and these can be used to buy weapon and character upgrades. Weapon upgrades feature different types of guns while character upgrades can be used to improve slash damage, amount of life, life storage and more.

The game supports local highscores and Open Feint, allowing you to share your highscores, unlock achievements and compare your performance with your friends.

Twin Blades is a fun, challenging and engrossing game that will keep you wanting for more!

Muvee Reveal – Easy Video Editing for Everyone is a post from: Stuffworks.com

Home movies don’t make themselves. Until now.

Hulu for iPhone is a post from: Stuffworks.com

Rumor has it that the video website hulu.com is developing an iPhone app that will be released within an couple of months.

Anyone who has tried to watch any of the streaming tv apps that are currently available on iPhone has probably been fairly disappointed with what they found but if the rumors are true then we will be able to watch multiple mainstream tv shows and movies from anywhere right on our iPod or iPhone.

Hulu has many popular shows like White Collar, Monk, Stargate, House, etc.

I will post an update as soon as the tumors are confirmed.

Dungeon Hunter – iPhone is a post from: Stuffworks.com

Dungeon Hunter is an awesome action-packed role-playing game for iPhone with gorgeous graphics and intuitive gameplay. What it doesn’t wield in originality, it makes up for in sheer fun.

The fantasy realm of Gothicus has fallen to the forces of darkness and it’s your calling as the kingdom’s royal heir to restore peace. After an untimely death, you take the role of a resurrected prince charged with defeating his former lover who has infected the land with evil.

There are three classes – Warrior, Rogue, or Mage (curiously, no ranged class) – you make your way from rural catacombs to the malevolent queen’s castle beating her demonic minions along the way. You don’t quest alone, though, as fairies accompany you on the quest as sidekicks that can be summoned for devastating magical attacks.

Dungeon Hunter is available now on iTunes.

Trekking across the expanse of Gothicus means hacking enemies patrolling the cities, forests, and mountainsides. There’s wonderful variety in the environments, complemented by an equally diverse bestiary. In pursuit of experience points, you face an array of interesting creatures from poisonous green slimes to rock monsters with magma flowing through their veins to skeleton knights.

Defeating these enemies can be challenging, though proper balancing avoids the need for level grinding. Creatures are strong enough to present a threat, though seldom overwhelming.

It helps that experience goes far in pumping up your character to confront even stronger foes waiting in the next dungeon. With each new level you’re able to boost any of four core attributes, as well as unlock new abilities and upgrade existing ones using skill points.

Naturally, available skills vary among the three classes with Warriors focusing on abilities central to direct combat, Rogues on agility, and Mages magic. Not only does this ensure each classes feels distinct, it also provides incentive to run through the adventure a second or third time.

Admittedly basic, character development surprisingly never feels constrained. There’s always something new to earn or interesting to unlock, which makes every level rewarding.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tons of loot also only furthers customisation, enabling you to outfit your hero with nine different pieces of equipment. Special pieces come with attribute-boosting enchantments, though these are found or purchased like regular equipment. It would have been great to see an optional item crafting system for added depth.

Click here to view the embedded video.

More compulsory is the need for improvement to the controls. While Dungeon Hunter wisely offers options, control over movement is an issue. The game provides virtual analogue stick or tap to move schemes, the former preferable though imperfect. You’re regularly moved an extra step or positioned at a slightly off angle that puts your hero at a disadvantage in combat. It’s not a game killer because you’re able to adjust, but any undue impact on your ability to move precisely during battle is undesirable.

Also of concern is the save system. Automatic back-up ensures that your character’s progress is preserved, although you’re unable to save manually within a dungeon. Exiting the game in the middle of a level means later resuming play at the dungeon’s entrance. This makes Dungeon Hunter difficult to play in short sessions since you’re unable to really stop playing and pick up where you left off.

To a degree, it’s not much of a problem because Dungeon Hunter is fun enough that you won’t want to set it down. Great graphics, satisfying character customisation, and loads of variety – this is as good as hack ‘n’ slash role-playing gets.

PowerDirector 8 is a post from: Stuffworks.com

Powerful Video Editing With Unlimited Possibilities

Powerful video editing with unlimited possibilities, PowerDirector 8 lets you create movie masterpieces with unlimited effects via DirectorZone, mega magical tools, 6-track PiP effects, Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator for surround sound creation, and loads of sharing options via YouTube, Flickr, and Blu-ray discs.

More powerful and even faster, CyberLink PowerDirector 8 offers more video enhancement and editing tools, designer tools and more timeline tracks to let you create great videos. Spice up your projects too by downloading any of the 1000s of free effects and templates already uploaded to DirectorZone by PowerDirector users.

A host of new tools and technologies are designed to save editing time and improve your video quality. Leveraging PowerDVD’s video enhancing TrueTheater technology, PowerDirector delivers HD-like results from standard definition content by upscaling video resolution, smoothing out playback in slow motion and enabling virtual surround sound.

With easy-to-use settings, PowerDirector’s TrueTheater technologies fix common video shooting errors such as extreme backlighting, poor white balance, and inadequate lighting.

Ever wondered how home movies achieve their memorable effects? Find out how by viewing other PowerDirector users’ timelines on DirectorZone.com. This glimpse into other editors’ creativity is a remarkable learning tool, offering insight for your own video projects.

Also, download and upload DVD menus, particle effects, PiP objects, and more, via DirectorZone.com .

Video editing software, PowerDirector, provides direct HD video uploading to Facebook and YouTube, enabling easy sharing on today’s most popular social networks and video blogging sites.

Enjoy your finished movie in HD at home by producing Blu-ray Discs or AVCHD discs in high-definition resolution. If it’s mobility you are after, you can produce files for playback on your iPhone, iPod, or PSP. PowerDirector allows you to output AVCHD projects to an SD Card too.

NOTE:

1. PowerDirector 8 has been tested to meet all of the technical requirements to be Compatible with Windows® 7.
   Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
2. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Price $99.95