Avg Cleaner Review

Avg Cleaner is an Android app, that is meant to increase the performance of your phone by deleting unnecessary items such as cache, messages, call logs, and your history. This program is a great utility for some, but a waste to others and I will explain why. If you wish to test the app please refer to the link at the bottom of this post.

Features

Delete Your History: AVG Cleaner allows you to clear your history from your Browser, Downloads, clipboard, and your Google Play Searches.

Cache Cleaning: AVG Cleaner will scan your apps, and give you a breakdown on what apps are using this amount of cache, and it will clear it so your phone is faster.

Call & Messages Clearing: AVG Cleaner allows you to delete messages, call logs, and more. Now the issue with this, is you delete them in bulk so be very careful when doing this, or before doing it back up important messages so you don't lose the messages.

Why You Should Use This App

If your phone is running slow, it could be a number of things and a large cache might be one of them. AVG Cleaner is one of the most effective tools for cache cleaning that I have seen. The reason that you want to clean your cache, is because it takes up unnecessary space on your phone, and if you don't use an app too often then that cache sits there. Now clearing cache from an app you use daily or multiple times a day can have negative effects. As your system uses the app it stores information from it in the form of a cache. Then the phone can access this cache or stored information to increase the loading time of your app. Now each has it's own limit, and apps like Facebook will have a large cache and at the same time, it is pointless because your news feed is constantly changing which leaves useless information from past posts.

Why You Might Not Use The App

The main reason to not use this app, is if you are running another cache cleaner. This app while very efficient does not serve any other purpose besides cleaning your phone. It is also useless if you are using the AVG Mobile Security app because this is the exact same utility that comes from their Mobile Security. There is not other reason to use this if you have a replacement. Now if you don't have a cache cleaner, and you are looking for something that is light and simple then this is the app you are looking for.




Download the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avg.cleaner

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Bitdefender Photon Is Released

Bitdefender's new products are released under the code name of photon. This new name comes from their new scanning technology. We are very glad to see these changes, and the new scanning technology should be tested by AV-Test not only did they bring new scanning technology, but there is another nice feature that most of us will use, and that is known as Bitdefender Wallet.

Features
- Faster and better detection rates from scanning. Bitdefender has worked to fully incorporate this new technology. Bitdefender released small pieces of it in the 2013 Total Security, but now the full technology is now integrated into their engines.

- Wallet: Bitdefender has added a similar service to key pass which Bitdefender can store all of your passwords and credentials. Bitdefender will take the passwords from many popular browsers, and encrypt them so that no one can access them. This means that you won't need any sort of third part service to store your passwords.

- New widget. The little widget that is on your desktop has been completely redone. You have access to your virus scanner, firewall, notifications, and the Bitdefender interface all from their widget.

Summary
This new technology does make the program a lot faster than it used to be, but the interface does have issues loading. Not to mention that the new scanning technology is only for people paying for their products, however they might add it to the free version. The idea appears to be on the table, but the free Bitdefender is not a priority as of now.


Issues
- Sometimes the program will not update the notifications if you have performed a scan.
- Interface will crash occasionally, and you will need to close it.


Video Review/Setup

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Apple's IOS 7 Did Borrow Features From Android

As it is no surprise IOS 7 was announced at the WWDC and what they claimed as "revolutionary" looks like a knock off from Android. Apple was always behind when it came to software and features. Now it looks like Apple has Borrowed or Stolen Features from Android. I will show you some of the features. Some of these are software related such as Apple Safari, and others are features of the actual phone.

1.On the left we have the IOS 7 Lock Screen, and on the right we have the Android Lock Screen.

 

These two lock screens are nearly identical, and as you will notice Apple has changed the clock on the screen to match that of Androids.

2. Multi Tasking IOS Left Android Right

These two multitasking menus look very similar, and one thing I don't like about IOS 7 is that it labels the apps below with their corresponding images. However, some people will really appreciate this, as it is might be easier than that of the Android labeling.

3. The New Control Center Android Right IOS Left

Image Credit: http://cdn.cultofandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Screen-Shot-2013-06-11-at-17.28.05.jpg

This control center is a COMPLETE knockoff from that of the Android. It also looks just like that of Android 4.1.2 on the Samsung GS3.

4. Apple's Music Interface Is Now Very Similar to that of Androids

5. Safari Tabs Are Now Very Similar To Google Chrome's

This is the one that I feel was done on purpose without a doubt. When you look at the current tabs, and see the difference and then look at Google Chrome, you will see that they are copies of eachother.

6. IOS Calendar Uses Very Similar Color Scheme Just Like The Google Calendar

7. ICloud Keychain Syncs Just Like Google Chrome

Apple has now developed a sync for all of your passwords so that you wont need to reenter then on your phone.

8. Dynamic Backgrounds

There are now dynamic backgrounds for IOS 7. This attempt of "innovation" was another copy from that of Android. 

9. Automatic Updates

Finally Apple has added the feature for you to automatically update all of your apps, and use the exact same settings as an Android device.

Summary

As we can see these are examples of Apple "borrowing" ideas from Google. However, if Apple can sue over the way a phone looks, then Google can sue for blatant attempts of the copying their software.

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Jumpshot Review

Jumpshot is a little program that was funded through kick starter with a very simple idea. The idea was to create an all in one fix it tool for your computer. Jumpshot was able to do it, and they did it in a friendly fashion. Jumpshot uses these cartoon characters to explain what the program does. Lets take a look at the inner workings of the program known as Jumpshot.


Features

• Kills Malware. Jumpshot has it's own malware removal tool.
• Deletes Junk Files. Jumpshot it able to remove useless files that are stuck on your computer.
• Check For Windows Updates. Jumpshot compares your computer's updates to that publicly released by Microsoft.
• Detects failing Hardware. Jumpshot will check your computer for windows errors and warn you about them to prevent data loss.
• Fixes startup. Jumpshot will check your computer for start up items that take abnormally long time and either disable them or place them on delay.

You can see more information about Jumpshots' features here. http://www.jumpshot.com/

My Experience

When I downloaded Jumpshot I gave the program 3 tries to work without using their simple UI version. Jumpshot failed to clean my computer after all 3 tests. I then proceeded to use their Simple UI, and it hang after three more tests. I gave Jumpshot 5 minutes, and it froze at the same point, now unless the program takes more than 5 minutes to start the cleaning process, then they need to work on that. However it didn't work because everytime Jumpshot told me that they were unable to clean my computer and asked to restart the process. This program sounds great on pen and paper, but if it fails after 6 different tests, then there is something fundamentally wrong. Maybe the program is not fully windows 8 compatible. Maybe the program is broken. I don't know the source of the problem, but there is a problem that needs to be sorted out.

Issues To Be Fixed

• Fix start up issues.
• Allow the users to control what is being fixed.

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Xbox One Game Prices

Yes there is no an "official" price for Xbox one games. When it comes to setting the prices of these games, the prices are generally set by the developer of the console. Microsoft has announced that Halo 5 will be only $60 which was the same price as halo 4. The critically acclaimed Call Of Duty Ghosts will also be $60. Why are the prices set at this price? What about the PS4? Let's Find out.



Why $60
This is actually a price that I was expecting, and that is because it is becoming cheaper to produce games. Now some of you are wondering, how is this cheaper when it is the same price? The answer is simple these next-gen games are expected to be on more powerful engines, better graphics would be included with this engine, and the combat will be more dynamic. Now as an example when the PS 3 was released it was roughly $700 the PS 4 which has far better specs will be $400 see this is a better product, and it is cheaper than the initial cost of the less powerful version. Not to mention Microsoft is trying to keep costs down to sell more copies. When it comes to games it matters how many you can sell rather than the price of which the game is set to.

What About The PS 4?
Well good news for you, the PS 4 games will also be $60. The whole gaming market seems to be at that point of equilibrium, and they want to keep there are as long as they can. Now SONY has been hiding one piece of information from people and that is that YOU DO NEED TO PAY FOR MULTIPLAYER. A common misconception is that you won't need to pay for internet on the PS 4 well  you do unless you are playing on the same network. They want to keep the price the same, because people are already accustomed to the Xbox live prices. A yearly cost for Play Station Plus will be $50. Now the real question is can SONY get away with this? SONY in the Past has had a ton of issues with their Play Station Network being hacked and that is because they are less secure than Microsoft.

Summary
All games will cost $60 for these consoles, and the PS 4 will require a $50 a year subscription. Now these are the games from the consoles respective developers special editions of games we are expecting to cost around $80 and more depending on the game. Let's see how the game developers will react to these prices and whether they will stick with them. We will also see if PS 4 fans will rage over the Play Station Plus or if they will adjust and accept the new changes or if they will be up in arms.

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Microsoft Backs Down on Xbox One Always On Internet

Yesterday Microsoft announced, that they were making some changes to the XBOX One. These new changes are what we wanted to hear, and they were relating to the always on Internet, and the process of trading, reselling, borrowing games from each-other. Microsoft has now backed down on their earlier statements, and while this helps them does this hurt SONY, and their main focus of the product. Let's explore the changes, and contemplate why it is they did this change.



Always On Internet
Microsoft before and during E3 stood by the idea of having an always on internet connection. However, they now have stated that " "An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24-hour connection requirement, and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360." This announcement was terrific for gamers, but lets see how the developers will respond. Before Microsoft announced this change, they contacted various developers, but we have not heard any public response from them as of now. The interesting thing, is that Microsoft was so confident in the idea, but the root of this change might be SONY. During E3 SONY almost mocked the Xbox One for requiring an always on internet. After which SONY had a huge boost in support by gamers, and for good reason. Now Microsoft has changed to accommodate those gamers who sided with SONY. 

Trading, Selling, Borrowing Games
Microsoft also made it clear that selling used games or buying them would be very difficult and nearly impossible to trade the games between friends. However,Microsoft has back tracked those earlier comments and has now announced that "Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360." Now we will be able to do everything like the Xbox 360. The reason for this, is Microsoft has realized that people do buy a lot of Used Games. This is going to bring in more revenue, in theory because now they have attracted a larger market.

Summary
Now that Microsoft has backed down those earlier comments, and we have the right to trade our games and use them without internet access what will they do next. If Microsoft continues their old stunts they will insult the other product and end up out selling them using their heavily aggressive advertising strategies. What of the game developers? What about the DMCA? Will any of them give us an announcement? As it looks right now, we will not receive any major announcements.

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Virus Total Uploader Review

Apple G5s at the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften 2006, de:HTW-Dresden (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Virus total which was bought by Google has a great tool, which allows any user to submit a download up to 32mb to be scanned by 40+ antivirus engines. The best thing about this tool, is it allows you to scan downloads before they get on to your computer, and it lets you know whether it is safe for you to continue with that download. This tool is a great way to improve your computer's security while also not using a lot of space on your computer. However there are some issues with this product, and we will go over them.

Features

Submit before download: This allows a download to be submitted before it touches the hard drive. What virus total did was allow the download to pass through the memory so that your computer is safe from any malicious files during the scan.

Submit Any File: Virus total also allows you to submit any file or folder up to 32mb for scanning. This is a great way to make sure that you don't have any form of ransomware on your computer. For instance if you downloaded a new toolbar and want to make sure it is safe. You can upload it right from your computer and virus total will scan the item to tell you if it is safe or if it has been detected as malware.

Upload a Process: Virus total can submit a process running on your computer. So if you believe that their is a malicious item running. This is such a useful tool especially if you don't know what is running on your computer.

Issues

You may only submit 32mb at once: The issue with this is the website allows you to submit up to 64mb so why not allow us to use the full 64mb that we get from the website?

You can only submit 1 file at a time: The biggest issue with virus total uploader is that you may only submit 1 file or folder at once. This can greatly slow down the time it takes to check a new program which is why I recommend that you only submit the install file.

Why Did Google Buy It?

Google bought the company for it's relationship with antivirus companies. What Google needs to do is start using this scanner for all of the Android apps that are submitted. If they fail on any of the tests then they should have to resubmit the app after the issue was resolved. Google has not done with the company and has basically let it sit there which is very sad, but there might be a reason for it. When Google first bought the company they did not really announce it so everyone knew and that might because they have something cooking with it. Maybe they are going to shut the idea down, who knows but what I do know is that Google needs to start utilizing this tool.

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