Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 brings faster, smarter detection

Panda Security has released an overhauled version of its cloud-based antivirus software today, bringing a slew of new features including an updated interface and Windows 8 compatibility. Available in both free and paid versions, Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 touts 50% faster on-demand scans, improved disinfection rates and reduced memory usage.

Previously limited to the paid version, free users now benefit from Panda's behavioral analysis engine. The free software also packs a new cloud-based disinfection engine, improved offline protection, the ability to display individual processes for everything connected to the Internet, URL and Web filtering, as well as new advanced configuration options.

The Pro Edition costs $30 a year and contains all of the above in addition to a new community-based firewall that manages permissions with real-time knowledge from Panda's global userbase, protection on public Wi-Fi networks, and automatic "USB vaccination." Pro customers also get an ad-free experience and 24/7 multilingual support.

Although Panda isn't particularly popular compared to solutions by Microsoft, ESET, AVG, Avira and Avast, the company's software ranks well among many independent antivirus testing outfits. Panda Cloud Antivirus 1.5.2, for instance, earned AV-Test's certification award a few months back with high ratings for protection, repair and usability.

If you're already using an older version of Panda Cloud Antivirus, it should update automatically in the coming days or you can manually download the latest build here. Be sure to uninstall antiviruses by other companies before you try Panda. Also, watch for an installation option that installs a toolbar and changes your default search provider.

Dropbox doubles space for Pro accounts at no extra cost

Cloud storage and syncing startup Dropbox is beefing up its paid offerings in the wake of increased competition from the likes of Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, among others. Starting today Dropbox Pro subscribers will see twice as much storage space on their accounts for no additional cost.

Those who previously paid $9.99 a month or $99 per year for 50GB of storage will be upgraded to 102GB (100GB plus the 2GB of free space provided to all users), while those paying $19.99 a month or $199 per year  will now get 202GB instead of 100GB.

The company also says that it is giving any current Pro members a 3 month 100GB trial to share with friends. The new plans will go into effect tonight.

Although the bump in storage space is certainly welcome Dropbox is still among the priciest alternatives out there. Google Drive offers 100GB on top of your free storage at $60 per year, for example, while Microsoft’s SkyDrive offers the same deal for $50 a year and Amazon at $100 a year.

Free Dropbox accounts are not receiving any upgrades. They still start at 2GB, which is considerably less than rival offerings, but Dropbox allows you bump that up to 18GB through referrals and other promotions.

RapidShare releases cloud sync tool RapidDrive

RapidShare is joining the likes of Dropbox and SugarSync in the cloud sync and storage business with the introduction of RapidDrive. The new service is said to work directly with a computer’s file system, allowing for automatic synching with remote servers.

RapidDrive works by creating a network drive that connects to the company’s servers, allowing users to easily manage offsite files via Windows Explorer. On the client side, the storage folder is essentially treated just like an additional hard drive on the system.

To send a file to the cloud, simply drag and drop or copy and paste the data into the RapidDrive folder and everything else happens automatically. Any computer that is linked to the same RapidDrive account can access the storage folder, much like any of the several other competing services.

“With RapidDrive, we are providing a tool that creates an even closer link between cloud storage and the PC environment, which makes it easier to manage files,” said RapidShare CEO Alexandra Zwingli. “RapidDrive is an essential means of simplifying work processes, especially for customers who are regular users of RapidShare at work.”

Since the service is simply a storage solution, it is not possible to install and run software from within RapidDrive.

RapidDrive is still in beta and is only available for Windows XP, Vista and 7 as of writing. Mac OS X support will come with the full build expected to drop in September. Those interested in checking out RapidDrive can download it by following this link.

Sony to buy cloud gaming service Gaikai for $380 million

Putting an end to weeks of speculation, Sony today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement toacquire cloud gaming company Gaikai, in an all-shares deal valued at approximately $380 million — below the $500 million quoted in rumors last week. It’s not yet clear how and when Gaikai’s technology will be implemented by Sony, but two obvious candidates are the firm’s TVs and PlayStation console.

For those unfamiliar, Gaikai allows subscribers to play graphically intensive games on weak hardware, much like OnLive does. The service processes games on remote servers and pumps the visuals to you. Since launching in February 2011, Gaikai has largely been used to stream demos so customers can actually try games for free at the point-of-sale before buying, but the platform could run full games as well.

The move could in theory allow PlayStation 3 hardware to run all sort of games and extend the console’s life. Sony is largely expected to announce a PS3 successor next year, however, so it is possible that a new streaming games service from Sony wouldn’t be revealed until then.

Besides giving gamers easy access to new titles, Gaikai’s technology could also allow for seamless backwards compatibility, which in turn could help reduce the costs and ease development of the next PlayStation console, and enable cross-platform multiplayer connectivity with the Vita.

Commenting on the purchase, Sony Computer Entertainment president Andrew House said, "By combining Gaikai's resources with SCE's extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences. [...] SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of internet-connected devices."

It will be interesting to see if Microsoft feels pressured enough to make a move for rival service OnLive.

Boxopus pushes torrent downloads directly to your Dropbox, skips desktop clients

A new service called Boxopus has come up with an interesting way of bridging the worlds of BitTorrent and cloud storage, offering a way for people to cue up torrent downloads and have them automatically added to their Dropbox folders, all without even needing to install a torrent client on your computer.


Boxopus uses the Dropbox API, which means you can link both services using your Dropbox credentials, without fear of giving access to other files stored in your account. Once that step is done you can add as many torrents as you like through the Boxopus website and the latter will then take care of the downloading. All files are automatically sent to a special folder within your Dropbox account and synced across devices.

Of course, if you don’t want the same file downloaded on multiple computers, you can use Dropbox’s selective sync feature to leave torrent downloads in the cloud, accessing or downloading them as needed.

One of the main benefits to users is that they can add torrents to their Dropbox from work, school or on the road.TorrentFreak also notes that these downloads are anonymous, as Boxopus takes care of the downloading, although you are still required to enter your email when registering to the service.
Another thing worth highlighting is that the service aims to make torrent downloads easier for novice users with a one-click Boxopus download button that can be integrated into websites. TorrentReactor, Fulldls.com, Vertor.com, and Torrentzap.com have already added this option, according to TorrentFreak.
But of course there are several downsides as well, starting with the fact that free Dropbox users only get 2GB of space out of the box — you can bump that to over 10GB without spending a dime but there’s some work involved. Downloading generally takes a bit longer too because Dropbox sync speeds are limited. And of course there’s the question of whether Dropbox will block the service when pressed over piracy concerns.
Boxopus is completely free and unlimited during beta testing stage but the company plans to rollout paid subscriptions at some point in the future, imposing limits on free subscriptions.
Source : http://techspot.com

New Apple TV details emerge, iCloud-based DVR a possibility

Representatives with Apple have reportedly been meeting with media executives as the Cupertino-based company draws closer to jumping into the television market. It is believed that the long-rumored Apple television, collectively known as the iTV by most media outlets, will rely on some sort of wireless streaming to access content.

The latest report by The Wall Street Journal brings together several tidbits picked up on in recent weeks. In addition to wireless streaming from devices or the Internet, Apple could implement voice and motion movements to control a television set or use AirPlay to allow users to control the TV with an iPhone or iPad. Another technology would allow a user to start watching a video on the TV then pause and pick up where they left off on another device.

Perhaps the most interesting revelation comes from a source that claims Apple has worked on technologies that would allow them to provide a DVR solution using iCloud. This could potentially introduce some tricky licensing issues in regards to recorded broadcast television but if the company were to pull it off, it could open a whole new set of opportunities in terms of how we watch and share content.

It remains to be seen just what exactly the tight-lipped technology company will ultimately bring to market. Apple has been rumored to be developing a television set for years but thus far nothing has materialized. That all changed when Steve Jobs told Walter Isaacson during an interview for his biography that he had “finally cracked it,” referring to the television market.