Ios Apps

The Best VPN Services for 2020

Featured29 December 2019 9:42 AM

A VPN, or virtual private network, is one of the smartest ways to protect your online privacy and maintain your data security. We’ve tested scores of them, and these are the best VPN services we’ve reviewed.

That attitude to the safety and privacy of personal data creates a tremendous risk when it comes to online security. Public Wi-Fi networks, which are ubiquitous and convenient, are unfortunately also extremely convenient for attackers who are looking to compromise your personal information.

What’s the best VPN service?

1. ExpressVPN. $12.94/mo*

The best VPN service right now is ExpressVPN. It’s the best all-round option for speed, privacy and unblocking websites. A close second place is IPVanish, which is another very reliable VPN that we like a lot – particularly the way it handles P2P and torrenting.

Number of servers: 3,000+ – IP addresses: 30,000 – Countries: 94 Server locations: 160 – Maximum devices supported: 5.

Pros: Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers. Strong privacy policy. Supports OpenVPN protocol across all platforms. Allows P2P and BitTorrent. Simple interface. Greatly improved performance.

Cons: Fewer simultaneous connections (5) than some others. Most expensive VPN we’ve tested.

2. IPVanish. $5/mo*

IPVanish is another solid VPN provider. With unlimited P2P traffic, ten simultaneous connections and 24/7 customer support

Number of servers: 1,300+ – IP addresses: 40,000 Server locations: 75+ – Maximum devices supported: 10.

Pros: larger number of simultaneous connections (10), Allows P2P and BitTorrent. Simple interface. Greatly improved performance.

Cons: Juicy amount of simultaneous connections (10) than some others. Outdated interface. No mobile kill switch.

3. Private Internet Access. $9.95/mo*

Private Internet Access (or PIA for short) provide Apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux, along with browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and even Opera, and guides for major routers and other devices, where can you not use PIA?

Number of servers: 3,335+ – IP addresses: N/A – Countries: 30 – Server locations: 50+ – Maximum devices supported: 10.

Pros: larger number of simultaneous connections (10), Allows P2P and BitTorrent. Decent high end speeds. Up-to-date interface. High device support including routers. high standards of privacy. Accepts Bitcoin.

Cons: Juicy amount of simultaneous connections (10) than some others. Slower than the other 2 VPNs. High ping (mixed).

4. NordVPN – $2.82/mo.*

Number of servers: 5434 – IP addresses: N/A – Countries: 59 – Server locations: 50+ – Dedicated IP: Yes – Maximum devices supported: 6.

Pros: Allows P2P and BitTorrent. Decent fair speeds. Up-to-date interface. 2048-bit encryption. Dedicated IP available.

Cons: Reported data breach (source). Connections drop randomly.

Google releases Chrome Remote Desktop for iOS to access your computer from your iPhone/iPad

13 January 2015 9:45 PM

Google releases Chrome Remote Desktop for iOS

Google releases Chrome Remote Desktop for iOS

Google today released its Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS after a release on Android devices last year [iTunes Link].

The app, available for both iPhone and iPad, allows users to remotely access their computer via the Chrome Remote Desktop app available in the Chrome Web Store.

To get things started, you’ll just have to download and run through a setup for the Chrome Remote Desktop app on your Mac or PC and then open the new Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS to establish a connection:

On each of your computers, set up remote access using the Chrome Remote Desktop app from Chrome Web Store… On your iOS device, open the app and tap on any of your online computers to connect.

Google first released the app for Android devices in April of last year and before that had its Chrome Remote desktop app for remotely accessing Macs and PCs from other desktop computers.

The app is available now through the App Store for free and works for remotely accessing both PCs and Macs.

How To Restore Tap To Tweet & Tap To Post Widget In iOS 8 Notification Center

13 November 2014 11:13 PM

TapToShare By Nonthawat Srichad

TapToShare By Nonthawat Srichad

iOS 5 and iOS 6 introduced some social integration features which, among other things, allowed users to quickly post tweets to Twitter and status updates to your Facebook right from the Notification Center using a simple tap. It was a convenient, effective way for users to get their 2 cents in without too much hassle.

However, with iOS 8 this it’s not longer a feature. But with Apple having given third-party developers a license to develop third-party Notification Center widgets – something only previously available via jailbreak – the NC can now be filled up with useful shortcuts and functions, and one developer has naturally seized the opportunity to re-introduced those sorely-missed functions.

Called TapToShare (By Nonthawat Srichad) on the App Store, the widget nestles itself into the Notification Center, and as you’ll see from the screenshot, it looks comfortably native enough. Then again, given that these buttons were once a part of the stock repertoire, this shouldn’t be too surprising, and if you’re an avid online socialite, then you’ll surely be pleased to have them back.

Once installed, you can readily pull down the Notification Center blind and use the Tap to Tweet for those casual, short utterances on The Twitters, and should you feel the need to divulge your most intimate thoughts on one extraneous topic or another, then you’ll probably want to consult the Tap to Post option. But remember, it won’t bring the Share Sheet up in the Notification Center, instead, it will launch the app from where you can tweet or Facebook away. A small compromise, but a worthwhile one.

We’ve tested it on an iPhone 4s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus already and as well as confirming that it works as advertised, we’re very much enjoying our reunion with these tap-to buttons.

Download it, give it a whirl, and as ever, be sure to post your thoughts in the comment section below.

Download TapToShare (By Nonthawat Srichad) for iPhone on the App Store – It’s completely free of charge.

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WhatsApp is testing a ‘message read’ with blue double tick

6 November 2014 10:22 AM

WhatsApp FAQs

WhatsApp finally tells you when your messages have been read

WhatsApp will now finally tell you when your messages have been read. WhatsApp messages have always been accompanied by ticks to show sent and delivered messages, but they have also been the source of some confusion.

Now the company is experimenting with a third version: the blue double-check that represents a message has been read, listened to or viewed. The confusion around the ticks is long standing. People often believe one tick means ‘delivered‘, and two ticks means ‘read‘. However, one tick actually means ‘sent‘, and two means ‘delivered‘, not read. The double blue ticks would mean ‘read‘.

You can already see on Facebook Messenger when a message has been seen, and this is WhatsApp’s version. However, it may upset some users that don’t want to mark messages as read. You have the option of turning off the ‘last seen’ timestamp on WhatsApp, giving you some privacy.

The social pressure to reply to a message might be greater if someone knows if you have actually read a message or not, making some people uncomfortable. It remains to be seen what will happen with the blue double tick – perhaps it will be optional, or maybe tests won’t lead WhatsApp to roll out the feature.

The double blue check marks have been rolled out to WhatsApp without the need to update the app. WhatsApp has added information about them to its FAQ section, confirming that two blue ticks does mean your message has been read. In a group message, you’ll see the blue ticks when all members have read the message.

You cannot turn this feature off.

WhatsApp: [Updated] Facebook Buys WhatsApp for $18 Billion

Viber Revamps iOS App, Goes Flat for iOS7

23 April 2014 8:03 PM

Viber Revamps iOS App - iOS7 Ready

Viber Revamps iOS App – iOS7 Ready

Showing up a bit late to the iOS 7 party, Viber, the free calling and messaging app that Rakuten bought for $900 million, has released a significant update for its iOS app that introduces a new flat design (iOS 7) and a number of additional features.

Viber 4.2, as it’s being called, now features an iOS 7-style design — which the company describes as clean and flat — with a stronger focus on multimedia. Users can now share multiple images at the same time, while they can also record and share longer video messaging and block specific phone numbers. Finally, the indicator that the other person is typing has been switched on for the Android tablet app, and its Linux, Windows and Mac versions.

Viber 4.2, as it’s being called, also offers longer video messages and the ability to see the typing status indicator (Jordan is typing…) for users on Android tablets and desktop.

Here’s what Viber CEO Talmon Marco had to say about the new changes

“Viber has been redesigned from the start for simplicity and ease of use. Taking our cue from the clean, flat look of iOS 7, we wanted Viber to feel like a completely seamless part of your device. Our top priority is the enthusiastic community of users who rely on Viber every day to communicate with their friends, family, and important contacts. The new iPhone version we released today will make it easier and more fun than ever before to stay connected.”

Viber is available across a wide array of platforms. You can learn more here.

Viber is available ad-free for Windows Desktop, Windows 8, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Bada and Nokia.

Viber for iOS [iTunes UK Link] [iTunes US Link]