Best New Technology

Have you ever used the synchronize files feature in Windows? This is the feature that allows you to make files available offline when you are not connected to a network drive. It also allows you to make updates to offline files which end up being synchronized once you are connected back to the network.

Unfortunately, many people find this difficult to setup in Windows or have found it to not be that reliable. This would explain why there are other third party applications out there which make synchronization between two file folders much easier. We recently put one of those applications, Memeo’s AutoSync, to the test in order to see how easy synchronizing could be.

Three Simple Steps

You have to love any program which allows you to setup synchronization in three easy steps. Memeo AutoSync allows you to do just that.

Step 1
Select Folder A and Folder B. Simple enough, right? The application will also allow you to synchronize drives with a removable device such as an external hard drive or flash drive.

Step 2
Confirm your selections. I love it. A program that makes sure you are setting up what you want to setup and not what you “think” you are setting up.

Step 3
Name your synchronization job.

Keep An Eye On All Synchronization Jobs
Not only does Memeo AutoSync allow you to setup a synchronization job in three easy steps (really two since step two is just confirming the first step) you can also keep track of all synchronization jobs in an easy to use interface. Using this interface you can view deleted files, remove synchronization jobs and create new ones. If need be, you can even pause all synchronization jobs.

You Need A LifeAgent
Memeo uses a technology called LifeAgent to keep your folders constantly synchronized. That means whether you add or remove a file, change the name, or move around your folders you can be sure that AutoSync will pick up on those changes and synchronize the two folders accordingly.

Mobile Storage Needs A Little Extra Security
Of course, one fear of synchronizing your files with an external storage source like a thumb drive or USB hard drive is that those drives can get lost. Luckily, AutoSync has you covered there as well by supporting encryption during the sync process, thereby allowing you to keep the files on your removable storage safe even if the removable storage device is lost.

Summary
I am a strong believer of the KISS philosophy (keep it simple stupid). Memeo does just that with the synchronization of files with Memeo AutoSync. The software is available for download for just US$29.95. A free 30-day trial is also offered. Memeo AutoSync is compatible with Windows 2000 Workstation with Service Pack 4, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

If you need to synchronize files for backup or travel purposes this US$30 program is cheap considering the ease of which you will be able to setup synchronization jobs and monitor them. Well worth the money.

Read more from the Memeo website.

I’m computing in the rain,
Just computing in the rain,
What a glorious feelin’
I’m happy again
I’m laughing at clouds.

Motion Computing today announced the new F5 tablet pc. The F5 addresses issues encountered by mobile workforces across industries like field service, manufacturing, government and construction.

Motion is also announcing a new three year “field-ready” warranty with the F5 that is a leader in the industry in protection for semi-rugged PCs. The new offering covers damage from short drops (approx. 30 inches), and ordinary course exposure to rain and dust.

The Asus-developed EPU lays claim to being the first hardware-based on-demand power saving IC controller in the world. It is capable of monitoring the CPU power supply digitally, fine tuning it under any loading in order to help you save on the monthly power bills. In addition, real-time automatic detection of the CPU current provides total control for the best possible power efficiency, capable of saving up to a massive 80.23% CPU power whenever you’re engaged in low intensity programs. The introduction of AI Gear enables the user to view through the user interface exactly how much power and CO2 is being saved. This new EPU can be found on Asus motherboards such as the P5K/ EPU and P5K SE/EPU, the new RAMPAGE FORMULA and P5E3 PREMIUM/ WiFi@n motherboards, among others.

No Microsoft soda at this year’s TechFest. Instead, we were confronted with lemon/lime ‘Heroes’ soda. No sweetener, zero calories…kinda bland. I’ll stick with my Microsoft coffee. Keynote begins in 10 minutes.  Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) will be joining the conversation.  

Remember the mystery Razer mouse that we looked at a couple of days ago? Well, here it is now - the Razer Salmosa. Touted to be the quickest entry level gaming-grade mouse, it boasts to have the fastest tracking optical sensor in the world as well. As with all other Razer products, this requires you to adopt a claw-like grip which might take some getting used to. Specifications of the Razer Salmosa are as follows :-

• 1800dpi Razer Precision 3G infrared sensor
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
• Mechanical dpi/polling rate switches
• On-The-Fly Sensitivity adjustment
• Always-On mode
• Ultra-large non-slip buttons
• 16-bit ultra-wide data path
• 60-120 inches per second
• Three independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons
• Ambidextrous design
• Scroll wheel with 24 individual click positions
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick Teflon feet
• Seven-foot, lightweight, non-tangle cord
• Approximate size: 115mm x 63mm x 37mm

It is no secret that Microsoft makes its fortunes in packaged software on CDs.  Pop in almost any store and you’ll see 1,323 varieties of Vista neatly packaged, waiting for you (OK, that number may not be accurate).  Unveiling plans yesterday, Microsoft announced a strategy that will put them in the hunt for users of online applications in the second half of 2008.

Microsoft is making this move to get into smaller and medium sized business who are choosing to go with Google’s offerings.  Google says they have upwards of 500,000 businesses signed up for their service and growing everyday.  No one seems to be expecting an all out war just yet, as Microsoft has too much too lose.

For sure, Microsoft is wading slowly into Google’s pool, likely figuring that every online customer is one less package they don’t sell.  Will Microsoft find success built on their desktop app dominance?  Anyone remember the Lotus suite?

Read [VentureBeat]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

If you are not yet sick of the Transformers movie, then GM Corporation of Korea has just the PC case for you. Known as the R-4 Bulldozer, this PC case targets both gamers and the hip, bringing an enhanced cooling performance to the table with turbo and normal modes to choose from. You also get a vertically-equipped ODD on the front panel with each purchase. It surely doesn’t look as sleek as what Asus released at CeBIT though. Where’s the fancy glossy surface and glowing lights? I want my nefarious looking PC case to strike fear into the hearts of my opponents at LAN parties, not some bulldozer-like hunk of metal!

The Iomega Rev drive that first debuted almost four years ago is still around. They have just rolled out a brand new backwards-compatible version that can hold up to 120GB worth of data, but I’m not too sure if this will actually move in today’s market considering how many portable hard drives there are already, not to mention backup solutions. What kind of backup solution are you currently adhering to, if any?

NEC will begin to ship its NP3151W widescreen installation projector that comes with the following features :-

• 4,000-lumen brightness LCD projector
• 1,280 x 800 WXGA resolution
• Connectivity to wireless networks
• Weighs 16.1 pounds
• Low noise output of 31 decibels in ECO Mode

The NEC NP3151W will ship from this month onwards for $4,999 a pop.

Samsung is all set to offer a belated Valentine’s Day treat to all the subscribers of the AT&T mobile phone service with the launch of four funky color options with their a737 handset. The model is already available in red, orange, blue and lime color schemes with white, hot pink, purple and electric blue models reported to be in the works as we speak. The 15mm thick HSDPA slider phone comes with a GSM/EDGE quadband along with 1.3 mp camera, microSD slot which can support memory cards upto 4GB in size. The Samsung a737 is also compatible with AT&T’s media download services which makes the $39.99 cellphone a slick investment especially if you consider the new two-year contract thrown in at that price!
[Source]