Cellphones

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 Outdated interface.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.

Here Come the April Fools’ Jokes

1 April 2015 3:54 AM

April Fool 2015

April Fool 2015

Well, get ready for it – April Fools’ 2015 has already started. Google is in on the act as usual, with a Pac-Man version of Google Maps that went live moments ago. Samsung is playing as well today, with the introduction of the Galaxy BLADE edge.

We’ll try to keep track of some of the best as we see them.

You can play Pac-Man on Google Maps by visiting Google Maps on the web and then clicking the Pac-Man icon in the bottom left corner.

Pac-Man is also on Google Maps for Android and iOS. You should be able to play in the newest version of Google Maps, but you have to search for locations that you might think Pac-Man would be. Google offers up a whole guide to Pac-Man in Google Maps here. They also provide clues on where you can find him (just go search for “Arc de Triomphe” and you’ll be able to play). Also, more info at the Google Maps blog.

Samsung Galaxy BLADE edge

Samsung Galaxy BLADE edge

As for the Samsung Galaxy BLADE edge, you are looking at a clear, glass-like phone with a foldable handle, is ergonomic and ceramic, has a diamond edge, is waterproof (unlike the S6 and S6 Edge), and even has a thermometer stylus!

Amazon Dash Button (real or?)

Amazon Dash Button (real or?)


Amazon has introduced the “Dash Button” which are 1-click buttons to help you instantly and directly order the things you need the most…from Amazon Prime. Major news outlets think this is actual real. I still think it’s a joke. Amazon remains saying it’s a real thing!

Google unveiled the Google Panda at a fake press event in Japan.

Introducing Smartbox, by the Inbox team! A smart mailbox

Reddit’s Android subreddit just went Apple. (April Fools)

Reddit’s Android subreddit just went Apple. (April Fools)


Reddit’s Android subreddit just went Apple.

Motorola just gave us custom selfie sticks

Motorola just gave us custom selfie sticks


Motorola just gave us custom selfie sticks.

Seeing any other April Fools’ jokes yet? Let us know in the comments and we will add them!

Source: Droid-life, Seeing any other April Fools’ jokes yet?

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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Nexus 6 UK price confirmed and it’s cheaper than the iPhone 6 Plus

7 November 2014 4:54 PM

Motorola, Nexus 6

Motorola, Nexus 6

We’ve already seen a US price (from $649) for the Nexus 6, so we weren’t exactly hopeful for a low cost smartphone here in the UK, and now that’s become a reality with Google posting a price on the Play store.

The 32GB Nexus 6 will set you back £499, while those of you fancying more internal storage will need to stump up £549 for the 64GB model.

While these prices aren’t nearly as attractive as previous Nexus models, it does mean the Nexus 6 is still considerably cheaper than possibly its closest rival, the iPhone 6 Plus.

Apple’s 5.5-inch monster device starts at £619 for just 16GB of internal storage, while the 64GB version is £699.

The Motorola-made handset gives you a 5.96-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) display, 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 13MP rear camera, 2MP front-facing snapper and Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Hold your horses! Because you can’t actually buy the Nexus 6 from Google Play just yet – in fact, it’s not even available for pre-order – with the site simply saying “coming soon”.

Previous reports have pointed towards a November 18 pre-order date in the UK for the Nexus 6, while those in the US have been able to pre-order since October 23 – although Google’s now out of its initial inventory.