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Cloud computing is becoming ever more popular and important to desktop and mobile operating systems alike. We’ve previously looked at how Windows 8 will integrate with cloud services , but how does its mobile brother, Windows Phone 7, deal with this method of storage? Remarkably well, in fact. By default, Windows Phone owners must set up a Windows Live account with their phones and this offers automatic integration with the SkyDrive service, particularly useful for uploading photos and storing documents from Microsoft Office Online. Other cloud-based apps are available for Windows Phone, however, offering storage for different types of data. SkyDrive Yes, I’ve already mentioned SkyDrive, but in addition to the native SkyDrive facility there is also a Microsoft app that offers some additional functionality and access to the 25 GB of free storage. What you don’t get with Windows Phone by default is the ability to browse the SkyDrive – it exists purely as a repository. This free...

W riting is tough. As a writer, I know how much of a struggle it can be. Blank pages are terrifying. New assignments even more so. Procrastination is an activity I know all too well. Yet ironically enough, there has been plenty of material written about the difficulty that exists in writing. I guess it’s easier to write about our troubles than it is to actually face them head on. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been writing an unusual amount of MakeUseOf posts related to writing. So here’s another perspective on the problem. If you’re like me and have trouble with writing-related motivation, then here are some great Android writing apps that can help boost your spirits with inspiration and ideas Catch Notes Back in the day, writers would carry around a pocket notebook (most often a  Moleskine notebook , made famous by Hemingway) to jot down ideas. After all, creativity often strikes when you least expect it, and it’s one of the most frustrating experiences in the world to lose a great i...

Nearly six months after Adobe released its PDF reader app for iOS devices, it posted this week a much needed features update that includes sticky notes, a highlighter, and other annotation tools found in nearly all competing iOS apps in this genre. The recent version of Adobe Reader also includes a nifty feature for writing and placing signatures in PDF documents. The universal cross-platform desktop version of Adobe Reader has been an industry standard for quite some time, but with the mobile version Adobe has basically been playing catch-up until now. Much of the user interface is pretty intuitive, allowing you three different ways to “turn pages,” and making most of the annotation tools available by pressing down and dragging over selected text, as well as accessing them in menu bar of the app. The Reader also includes a document search feature. In addition to the highlighting tool, Adobe Reader contains strikethrough, underlining, freehand drawing, and sticky note...

F acebook has, without a doubt, become the most popular social network in the world. While I’m cheering on Google + just like lots of you are, I don’t think I’ll ever quit checking on the Facebook status updates of my family and friends – at least, not unless they leave Facebook in droves. That’s not likely to happen anytime soon. One thing that I’ve noticed when I talk to friends that initially start using Facebook is that “nobody comments on my wall.”  Sometimes, I’ll even try to help them out by letting them show me their Facebook wall and trying to help them understand what they’re doing wrong, and why people may not feel encouraged to comment on their status updates. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of reciprocating. People expect that friends and family will flock to their wall after every status update. The truth is that most people only check out your wall when you’ve commented in theirs – so if you never comment on anyone’s wall, how can you expect them to remem...

W hile telecom operators are striving hard to popularise their 3G services in India, Bharti Airtel has gone one step further by launching the latest 4G services in the country. The telecom giant today announced the launch of wireless broadband services based on fourth generation wirless technology in Kolkata circle. Airtel now plans to bring 4G in Bengaluru as well. With the latest 4G services , users can now access the Internet, video conference and download online content at a rate several times faster than 3G services, which is still in its nascent stage in the country. Interestingly, Airtel has priced its 4G data plans competitively as compared to its 3G services in the Kolkata circle. We bring you a detailed comparison between Airtel's 3G and 4G tariff plans (Kolkata circle). Read on. Airtel 3G Airtel is providing 3G services through a roaming arrangement with Vodafone Cellular in Kolkata. The minimum 3G data plan start at Rs. 9 for 10MB (validity 1day). The high...

  S ometimes it may seem safer to go back to the days of the Pony Express rather than deal with the multitude of online threats, but there are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risks you face. First, get a security suite, although there are about a dozen good suites, free and paid, out there. Go with one that gets good ratings and that you trust, and make sure that you let it update and scan regularly. Second, I strongly recommend using a password manager that's independent of your browser. Not that the browser password managers are known to be risky, because they're not. But third-party managers allow you more options, such as mobile device support, that I find essential. LastPass (download) and RoboForm (download) are among the best cross-platform tools out there that will work on both Windows and Mac and have smartphone support. Third, use two browsers. Do your mission-critical browsing, such as financial transactions, in a separate browser from your...

As of April 8, AT&T is unlocking iPhones. Now, it won't unlock just any iPhone ; there are stipulations you'll have to meet before being freed from the carrier. The requirements, according to a statement issued to CNET , are: " ...that a customer's account must be in good standing, their device cannot be associated with a current and active term commitment on an AT&T customer account, and they need to have fulfilled their contract term, upgraded under one of our upgrade policies, or paid an early termination fee." If your account and device fall within those guidelines, you can request an unlock. According to The Next Web , it's a fairly painless process. First you'll need to get the IMEI ( International Mobile Equipment Identity) of your iPhone. You can find this by going into Settings > General > About on your device. Next, contact AT&T. You can do this via online chat or by calling customer care. Let them know you'd like to ...